




!f3! ISOO IS 




f^3K^*, 



THB 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 

■WEITTEN TOa. THE BENEFIT OB 

THE PEOPLE OF THE U. STATES, BUT PARTICULARLY 
FOR THOSE OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY; 

RELATING T© 

■ 

^HE SEMINOLE WAK, AND THE VINDICATION 
OP GENERAL ;rACKSON. 



THIRD SERIES, 



1) 
mmm^mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 



fKINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 



ssfa'iEiSisijisirEssyy 






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TO THE FREE AND INDEPENDENT VOTERiS OF THE U. STATE%. 

Jini, particiUarly to those who are enslaved either by 
Caucuses, Prejudices, or Delusions. 



^ THE follow ing pages relate to the war conducted by Gen. Jack- 
son, under the orders of the government, against the Seminole 
Indians,and to the debates in Congress upon that subject, and have 
been prepared for publication for some some time,and are now sub= 
mitted to public consideration, chiefly to counteract wide-spread- 
ing misrepresentations and calumnies, against Gen. Jackson, 
to sbew that he is worthy of the confidence of the people, and 
also to shew, even in Kentucky, that notwithstanding ail previ- 
ous determinations and prejudices, the people ought to elect him 
in preference to any other candidate; and if the following de- 
monstrations do not support me in these positions, I shall be 
willing to admit thai I am defective in mental energy, and in 
such perceptions as would be requisite to promulgate opinions 
upon a less important subject. 

Previous to the aforesaid investigation and debates in Con- 
gress, I entertained for Gen. Jackson apd for Mr. Clay, each 
equally respectful opinions; believing that each was equally 
zealous in their devotion to the welfare of their country — but 
when one of these persons presented himself to the nation, as the 
accuser and prosecutor of the other, my inclination as a man, 
and my duty as a citizen, required that I should prepare my 
mind for a fnial decision, by a candid and an impartial exami- 
nation of facts, and to suffer no imj)res3ion to be made by pre- 
judice, which trutjj and reason would not justify. I tlien had 
110 anticipation that either of these exaltet! personages would 
become candidates for the office of I'resident of the United 
States, and still less, that they would be the rivals of each oth- 
er. I believed that they had with great zeal and talents, devo- 
ted themselves to the service of their country, and deserved 
each their reward. I never had had an opportunity of investi- 
gating or comparing their qualifications and claims for prefer- 
ence. My j)redilections at that time, were in ftwor of Mr, Clay, 
from many causes not necessary to be mentioned. I therefore 
felt a predisposition that he should acquit himself with the high- 
est honor — and at the same time tijat Gen. Jackson should con- 
tinue t(Ji.^ta)id before the people .and the world, with Ufidimin: 
i^h(^^ glory and renown,^ 



C iv ] 

From such ranses, and such feelings, if I am candid in the 
exposition, it will be believed that 1 acted and reflected with 
impartiality. I sincerely believe that such was the case— and 
the same devotion to candor, authorises me now to say, that 
Gen. Jackson rose so much in my esteem and confidence upon 
that investigation, that I then determined that 1 would at some, 
after period, support him as the President of the United htates, 
of whfih 1 informed him shortly afterwards, and from that time 
to this, 1 have never deviated in my purposes, or faultered in 
making efforts to fulfil them. And with equal truth and sorrow 
I can "say, that 1 formed opinions against Mr. Clay, such as I 
have frequently avowed, and such as will fully appear in this 
pamphlet. 

Since the following pages, relating to the Seminole war, were 
prepared for publication, several months have elapsed. They 
liavc been seu^ to Louisville ; and have sought publication at 
other places | and now, at least six months after preparation, 
after so many disappointments, the occurrence of so many events, 
and the frequent promises tiiat they siiould appear, — 1 fear that 
the anticipation of them will be far superior to the impression 
which tijeir merits will make. 

So much has been deemed necessary to show the causes of 
delay, and to caution the reader against the expectation oT 
more than, in reason, lie ouglit to anticipate from a private citi- 
zen, far removed from the great public drama of the times,— 
whose sole motives are to ilischarge duties that have been long 
implanted on his conscience, and which are now performed un- 
der the impulses of obedience to that conscience, and as inherent 
duties, and regard for his country, which neither time nor fluc- 
tuating events will eve? obliterate. 

There are but few, if any, in the U. States, who devote them- 
selves to the obtaining of as much knowledge or information as 
may be acquired from the coluuins of a newspaper, — wiio have 
not heard or read of the Seminole war ; who have not also 
heard that Gen. Andrew Jackson, who conducted tliat war, had, 
contrary to the detcrtainatioii and sentence of a court mar- 
tial, proceeded, by an arbitrai-y and tyrannical stretch of usur- 
pation and lawless power, caused to be executed two foreigners,^ 
named Arbuthnot and Ambrister, wlio had been residing for 
Komc time among the Sciaiuole Indians, and while engaged in 
the occupation of tnuierH, had been in a cold-blooded and cruel 
manner api)rebended and put to death, even tiiuugh acquitted 
by a court mailial. 

As it has I'allen to my lot to examine into that matter with 
candor and dilligeiice, and fiom that examination have found 
that Gen. Jackson has been most shamefully misi-epresentcd, and 
most wickedly and widely caluur.iiated; 1 ccuHiderit to be my 



C V ] 

duty to give the best exompHfirations wliicli tlie case will no^. 
admit of, from all the lights and tesrimouy vvhif h 1 have been 
able to obtain, to which I shall particulai-l.v refer, and upon which 
I shall most solemnly and michangeahly rely. 

Some of the opinions now about to be given in justification of 
Gen. Jackson, relating to the Seminole war, were published by 
me, under the signature of "Falkland," in the Iliporter, of 
Lexington, Ky. during the time, when Gen. Jarkson \\ds en- 
gaged in that expedition, and before its terminatiotj. 

I refer to those essays for three purposes : — 1st. to shew that 
I have not now assumed, antl avowed them, for riot^* s( iviug 
purposes ; 2nd. to shew, by the date of their puhlii^atiaa a id the 
date of the events, that those essays could not Iuim- heeis occa- 
sioned by those events, nor^ould the events be ascrihed in the 
slightest degree to them ; 3rd. for the purposes t'ov wai< h liiey 
were communicated to ;V»r. Clay hefore they were |)u!)liMhed. as 
a personal compliment to him, and in the expertation — itiaXl. 
may say, hojye — that they would have met his apjirobafion. 

But, I was soon convinced that they did not meet his appro- 
bation. I knew not the cause of his objection ; but as I then 
believed that the principles contended for in those essays, were 
not only just but necessary, 1 did not intend to be, nor vvas I 
otherwise, influenced by Mr. Clay's disapprobation of them, than 
thereby to have discovered how little he regarded or under- 
stood the political rights and interests of his country, and the 
duties of the government, upon the subject to which they related. 
It was not, therefore, surprising to find that Mr. Clay had co- 
operated with many others, to prosecute Gen, Jackson at a sub- 
sequent period, when his conduct and the general scope and resi- 
dencies of those essays very generally corresponded Thusiiorfi 
conference with Ms*. Clay then, proved that we knew ear.li 
o^ther's opinions; how little respect 1 then had, or now liave 
for his, will be exhibited in the following pages. 

Three of the essays just alluded to, >\ ere published ; thoi'gb 
five were written, the editor of the paper then declined ptibiish- 
ing the other two. The reasons for rerusal, I neither know ^lor 
regard. As I am nov/ again engaged as a volunteer ten- the 
service of ourcountrv, and in t!ie vindication of one of Us most 
meritorious public seivants, of the highest station and greaiest 
renown, 1 have been tluis explicit' to snew that I a.n not a time 
server, a caucuser, or an intriguer, and now eiui^'uvcr to [jalni 
opinions, under the pi-etence of being oiu ones, lor liew thoughts 
and schenies, to suit a particular purpose. 

Soon after t!ie prosecution of (Jen. Jii< kson in Coegress, by 
Mr. Clay and his associates, I pr-eparefl son.e n.ijtfer \'< » ; , Mi- 
cation in his behalf, but was then restrained from ci-ik ;; \o 
be published^ from' personal courtesy lo Mr. Claj : U', houid 



vi 3 

I have ever revived the consideration, had he not become acaj>« 
didatc for the presidency of my country. After I had most de- 
liberately cxaniined into the public conduct and character of 
Gen. Jackson, and as deliberately invited and strongly recom- 
mended it to him, to become a candidate for that office^ and af- 
ter I had upoji numerous occasions, given it a^ my unhesitating 
opinion, that he deserved and ought to obtain the confidence and 
suffrages of the people, for the iiighest office in their gift. And 
after the expiration of so many years, and the intervention 
of so many events, there would not now be a pretence for these 
references, if Gen. Jackson was not highly and generally ap- 
proved by the people of many parts of the United States, as the 
next president, and was not mainly opposed by misrepresenta- 
tions and calumnies, which derive their sources from the Semi- 
nole war, and more than from any other cause, from the 
speeches of Mr. Clay and his associates, delivered on the floor 
of Congress upon that subject. 

There is also another reason. Many of Mr. Clay's friends 
say, without heshation, or without ceasing, that I have been ac- 
tuated in my conduct relating to him, and to the pretensions of 
Gen. Jackson, by personal hostility and vindictive feelings a- 
gainst Mr. Clay— -and some of his adiierents have committed 
another falsehood, by assigning the particulai* causes. 1 have^ 
frequently given these gentry simiiar contradictions and defi- 
ances, and although Ihavc lor the present stopt their pens, I 
have not stopt, nor can I stop their vituperating tongues, and 
^jow refer to what this i)an)pl)let contains, for sufficient matter 
to con\incp them of their errors or offences. 

^Vhilst therefore 1 have devoted my pen and my purse, with; 
zeal and industry, with consciencious convictions ttr dischai'gc 
my duty, to fulfil my jiromise, and to render an imperishable 
service to my couutry, the facts which are already stated shew, 
that I might have placed myself in array against Mr. Clay sev- 
eral yeais ago, if I had been so inclined. He knew my opin- 
ions — but surely there v.as no more cause for my being offend- 
ed with him lor the cultivation of diO'erent opinions, than there 
could be for his being offended with me — because he knew tljat 
I ])refei-rod Gen. Jackson as the President of the United States,, 
not only to hinjself, but to every other man of whose merits and 
daims I had obtained inibrmation. Except the offence of dif- 
fering with Mr. Clay in opinionsof a jjublic nature, I defy him 
self and the whole host of his IViends, to alledge any thing else 
— and lalso defy them to make a siniihir declaration. 

If such opinions and such conduct as n)ine have been, can be 
tfdeiTitcd in a counti-y where the people Hatter themselves that 
they are free, and tliat the press is also free, then I shall be ex- 
cused for the vanity vAoi presumption of having published a,nit j 



aCted asl have done — nor will it longer be deemed treasoTiablep, 
for an individual, however lowly, to pronounce and promulgate 
the freedom of opinion, although it may not accord with many 
persons high in name, fame, popularity and public confidence. 

Should Mr. Clay believe that I am his personal enemy, it 
must be from a conjecture that I ought to be so : the motives of 
which conjecture I am willing to hear, and desirous to examine. 
If he thinks me unworthy of his notice, then, whilst his parti- 
zans growl and fret, he should, in the heighth of his soarings 
and the expansion of his views, the magnificence and splendor 
of his career, not pause, or cast back his eye, to take the slight- 
est notice of either of us. 

There was a time when I felt a pity for the servile devotion 
which was paid to Mr. Clay, his opinions, dogmas, heresies 
and decrees, as they were often submitted to by men whom f. 
considered to be his superiors; but upon further reflection, I 
discovered that there was a species of tyranny exercised in Ken- 
tucky over the people, which was of self-existing and self-pro- 
ductive character, proceeding from certain public and general 
admissions. The first, that Mr. Clay combines in himself all 
the great attributes of statesmanship, of patriotism and repub- 
licanism, of expanded and mathematical intellect, of eloquence 
and the liberal devotion of great talents ^o all of these purposes^ 
so that no man w ho had any respect for himself, for his inflaenco 
in society, for the votes and patronage of the people, for pro- 
motion to any olfice of honor, profit or trust, could expect suc- 
cess if he should presume to deny, or even to doubt the extent of 
Mr. Clay's pre-eminence in all these matters. I have consci- 
entiously differed with him upon many topics, some of which 
I have explained— others sihail be hereafter more fully demon- 
strated. PHlLO-MCIi^ON. 
May, 1824^ 



lP1111.0.3a€l<lS0^\ 



A SHOKT VIEW OF TIIH SEMINOLE WAR. 

The Seminole War was deliberately instigated by llj(j 
Spanish Governor of I'cnsacola, at tlie time when a treaty of 
peace and commerce existed between Spain and the United 
States. He supplied t!ic Indians and runaway nr.^roos with 
arms, ammunition and other necessaries of war. Many of the 
inliabltants of the southern boi-der of Georgia, were massacred 
and scalped. Gi-eat complaints were made, by the people of 
Georgia, to the government of tiie United States. Genei'al 
Gaines, of the army of tiie United States, was appointed to the 
command of troops for that service j but was so restricted m 
bis instructions, that he could not consistent therewith, give 
protection to the frontiers of Georgia, or avenge the murders 
and injuries, which had been inflicted on the inhabitants. The 
atrocities of the Indians, aided by many runaway negroes, aiid 
instigated by wliite men stiil worse than themselves, who were 
subjects of Great Britain, greatly increased the comjdaints of 
the people., Even tlie great and meritorious General Gaines 
was censured for neglirv^nce or insutSciencv. At lerie;th the 
President, in virtue of his authority, appointed General Jackson 
to the command, and gave him directions, to terminate the war 
with as mricb expedition as possible. His orders, and subse- 
quent orders will be fully shewn. General Jackson was then in 
Tennessee. He immediately invited volunteers from that state 
and from Kentucky. Many flocked to his standard. He pro- 
ceeded on his march with the greatest expedition, and soon ar- 
rived in Florida. > 

The line which separated Georgia from Florida, then a 
Spanish province, passed through the country occupied by the 
Seminole Indians, so that they could retreat from Georgia and 
make a stand within the Spanish boundary when it suited them. 
Their marauding parties, therefore, wheia pursued, escaped pur- 
suit fi'om the Georgians, or the troops of the United States, by 
retreating within the Florida line. The Spanish Governor, 
either could not, or would not restrain the ludiaus and their 



[ 10 ] 

associates; in fact, he supplied tlicm ^vitli the means of war. 
The Indians, tlicrcloro, had the possession of Fh)rida, except 
the military posts, aiid at these they rendezvoiificd in great 
iiumbei'S. ' 

Such \vas the situation of that country, Avhen General Jack- 
son arrived. He was ordered to terminate ike war. He con- 
sidered, tliat the Spanislj Governor though pretending to pay 
regard to the treaty with the United States, Ijad abandoned 
the country to the Indians, who were thoi supjdicii and insti- 
gated hy t^o British incendiaries, Arbuthnot and Anibrister, 
and were led to battle, slaughter and plunder by Anibrister. 
— General Jackson being apprized of all these things, marched 
into the Spanish country, surprized and took one of the Spanish 
pests, St. Marks, and at the same time, made prisoners of Ar- 
buthuot and Ambrister. 

Three hundred and fifty scalps of all ages and sexes, recently, 
taken from the whites, who had been murdered, were obtained j 
Jifty of them, wet wit!i bh)od, were found in Arbulhnot's pos- 
session. These leaders and incejidiaries were examined by a 
board of officers, found guilty and executed. 

It is true that tlie officers had a second meeting, and being 
«xcited by sympathy for Ambi-ister, who was a \cry young 
man, and manifested great contrition ; they recommended him 
tea milder punishment; but they knew nothing of General 
Jackson's f)rders, to terminate the war — of the extent of the 
mischief to which Ambrister had contributed, nor of the extent 
of future mischief, which he might excite or perpetrate. He 
had forfeited his life by many murders, and public exigency, as 
well as policy, justified his execution. General Jackson was 
soon afterwards induced to take Fensacola, the Governor of 
Avhich place had excited the Indians i.o wur, supported them 
with necessaries, and given them the free occupancy of the 
country, and admission into the town. After Pensacola was cap- 
tured, lie organized a government for the United States, leaving 
our government to exercise such further policy towards the In- 
dians, that country and Pensacola, as it miglit select. He had 
been ordered to terminate the war. He complied witli the or- 
ders, by executing the ring-leaders; and returned liome, and 
withdrew from further authority. AW of wliicli was done in 
less time than four months. Never did the United States re- 
ceive so much service in such a war, in so short a time, with so 
little loss of men or treasure. 

These great and distinguished services, instead of procuring 
for him the thanks of Geor-gia, and of the United -States, have 
been the causes of an unjust and ungrateful persecution, and 
numerous calumnies. His calumniators did not attempt to 
lessen t!ie value of the service, nor to disown the bcijefits which 



[ u ] 

had been obtained by the country, and by Georgia in paf=. 
ticular ; but they pretended, that he had usurped military pow- 
er, and violated the Constitution of the United States. 

These and other minor calumnies, were so actively circulated, 
that thera were found, even in Congress, (which ought to have 
been the seat of unblemished justice,) a number of members, 
^vho were excited to make a public inquiry into his conduct, 
though it had been approved by the President; and while these 
mistaken or wicked meir were hoping, or expecting to make » 
victim of their brave, successful and patriotic General, they 
brought on au investigation, in that liouse, relating to that war. 
A comuuttec was raised for the purpose. General Jackson was 
not a party to the inquiry, nor called upon to make either ex- 
planations or defence. The committee reported as follows : 

"Resolved, That the House of RejiresenUitives of the United 
"States, disapproves of the proceedings in the trial and execution 
^'oJ'^Mexander Arhiithnot and Robert C. Jimbrister." 

This report was not entirely satisfactory ; the authors and 
abettors of the enquiry, sought to make a victim of the Gene- 
ral ; and Mr. Cobb, a member from Georgia, where the people 
had suffered so much, had complained so much, and had obtained 
peace and security by the conduct, decision and enterprize of 
the General, prepared and offered other resolutions of a crimi- 
nating character. In offering the first of which, he made a 
speech of some length, and by its tenor, sought to inflict some 
punishment on the man to whom he and his particular state 
owed so much gratitude and 3u>uor. It was upon that occasion 
Mr. Henry Clay, made also his far-famed, and by many caJled, 
Lis great and unrivalled speech : which 1 shall presently tak^ 
jiotice of. 

No. T. 

MR. eOBB's SPEECa AGAIiSrST GENERAl JACKSOF. 

This speech, I imagine, was much longer in the delivery, than 
Bfiight be presumed from the print, because he complained of being 
weary. Considering that the speaker knew but little of what he was 
speaking about, it was a tolerable goad speech, and considering 
Lis evident purpose of inflicting punishment on General Jack- 
son,, it was as decorous and as modest as might be expected j 
\ii\t it reminded me of his invariable devotion to his purpose — 
and as Shylock invariably demanded his bond, which re<iuired 
a pound of flesii, from Antonio, his victim; so Mr. Cobb, how- 
ever decorous he was iq the mode and terms of his speech, never 



[ 12 

abated in his lioiics and demands foi* vens^eancc and p'jnfeJj- 
ntent. In snculvinc; about tlic Jaw of nations, he. casididly ac* 
knowledgfd wliat was suilieicntly obvious williout the a( know- 
ledi;enient, that he knew hut little about them, or the |frincip!ea, 
upon which they are founded ; and subsequent parts of the de- 
bate slicucd that his co-adjutors, though tliey pretended to be 
more Iranail, wej-c no w iser than liimsclf, and uujch less candid. 

In spi'aking aJ-.ont General Jackson, 'Mv, Cobb seemed to 
view him as one taken in his toils, towards whom he intended 
to be about as nieiciiul, as Siiylot k was to Antriiiio ; but yet 
lie condescended to say, among- other things, what here follows: 

**JSfl man can moj-e hi^hhj apprecinle ike disfina-nislied services 
*'nf GeneraL Jack&on, than I do. i^'o far as those services have 
**hecn virtiMiaf and legal, I have joined my coiDtirijmen in cry- 
*H7ig, '(Veil done — thou good and J'aitliful servant}' and in be-. 
'*sUnriag on Jam my plaudits and ivai mcst thanks for svck ser- 
*'vic€S. I am still willing to join in crowding laurels upoiVhis 
^'head, nntil it bends under tlie weight of them j but, if they 
"arc lo bo acjuircd by his trampling upon the constitution, and 
*'thc best interests of tliis country, then shall 1 wish to see e^cli 
*'of these laurels fade, and fall in ruin to the ground— nay the 
"very brow which they encircle, sink 

"'I'o the vile dust — from whence It sprung. 



"Uiiwejit, iinhop.or'd, and uDSuni^ 



That wliich commenced in fiction, and was urged on by ac- 
knowledged ignorance, might well siiik into a rhymc,*evcii 
thoiigli a borrowed one. 

Wiicn I take under coBr;ideration, the deplorable situation of 
the frontier of Georgia, the numerous complaints and impor- 
tunities made to tise government ; the 350 scalps recently taken 
from the frontier inhabitants — with a full and perfect knowledge 
of ail these things; and likewise, tiie orders of our governmwit 
to General Jackson, with his unparaiieiled success : 1 know not 
what to say of Mr. Cobb. I nuglit have ex})ected his vindica- 
tion, with every demonstration of applause, and personi?J grati- 
tude. 'J lie recorded testimony voluntarily given against him- 
self, wii! ever authoiize imputations against Itim. of weakness 
or wickedness. These epithets w ill be alternately, or disjunc- 
tively applied to his !iame. 

Tiie same Mr. Cobb is now- in Congress. He owes some 
atoneuuMit to iiis couniry, aiid it is expected that he will be as 
}>fon»pt (o make it, as he \kis forward iu making the speech no>5f 
ail 11 (led to. 



[ 13 ] c 

No. II. 

ME. HOLMES* SPEECH. 

Ma. CoBQ was followed by Mr. Holmes, of Maine; of wlios® 
speech I will now take some notice — nut so miicii as it dcsei-ves, 
but enough for my purpose. If this able, candid, [inaiu«<\v» led 
and unanswerable speech, had been properly appropriated, vvheti 
it was delivered, the inquisy would have then ended, and liie 
Congress of the United States, particularly the members of 
Georgia, would have (us Mr. Cobb said,) "ero^cdctl laurels oil 
his head, 7intil it bends under the tceight of them." 

It is but justice to Mr. Holmes, and no more than justice, 
tli,at I should also make some extracts from his spcecii. 
Page 1 ] 7 : — 

*'It is not, sir, because General Jackson has acquired so much 
glory, in defence of his country's rights, that 1 defend him— 
It is not for the splendor of his atchieveoients or the briSIiaiicy 
of his cliaracter. I would not comproaiit the rights and liber-^ 
ties of my country, to sci*een any man, however respftctable. 

"If General Jackson has been ambitious, I would restrain 
liim — if he is pi'oud,. I would humble him — if he is tjranical, 
I would disaiMu bim. And yet, I confess, it would require 
pretty strong proof, to produce conviction, that he has inten- 
tionally done wrong. At his age of life, crowned with tiie lau- 
rels, and loaded with the gratitude of his country, what ade- 
quate motive, could induce hiiu to tarnish his glory, by acts of 
cruelty or revenge ?" 
Page 118: — 

^'On the ninth of August, 1814, a treaty was signed at Fort 
Jackson, between the United States and most of the chiefs and 
warriors of the Creek nation. By this treaty, certain lands were, 
ceded to the United States, and the inhabitants of the ffontici^B 
understood tliat the war was ended. But, it was soon found 
that several of the hosiile Creeks, and the Seminoles, had, with- 
in the limits of Floiida, associated for tlie purpose of commene- 
ing hostilities against the United States. By the instigation 
and aid of a certain Col. Nichoils, a fort was erected on Appa- 
iachicola, and within the province of East Florida, to facilitate 
their hostile designs. At this place were assembled a motley 
banditti of negroes, Indians and fugitives, from all nations, and 
trained and instructed in the arts of lobbery and mnrder. The 
people of the United States, woon Celt the effects of their ven- 
geance. Several families, including wonien and children, were 
barbarously murdered. In 181U, a boat's crew were cruelly 
butciiered, one of whom was tarred, set on lire, and buint to 
death. On the 3eih November last, Lieut, Scott, and hispa^rty. 



[ M ] 

consisting of about fifty men, women and cliildren, were mnr- 
dorctl in a manner too shocking to describe. In this exigency, 
■what was to be (hnie ?" 
Page 12^2:— 

*'If there could be a doubt, whether the commandant of St. 
INlarks, was in league with these [joople, (the Indians,) that 
douht must be removed, by a mass of testimony, contained in 
tin? documents on your table. The moment the negro Indian 
iort was destroyed, St. Marks became the store house and dc- 
Hosit of the savages. Here their councils were held— here they 
sold their blotjdy trophies, torn from our murdered citizens — 
and here they received the instruments and means of future 
in«rdors. Lnejigo was the ad\iscr, aider and abettor of tho 
savages, and the friend and coadjutor of Arbuthnot." 
Page 123:— 

"The justico of their execution (meaning Arbuthnot and Am- 
brister,) cannot, in my mind, admit of a duubt. They were 
volunteers, in tlie service of a lawless tribe of savages, Nvhosc 
inodeVif warfare is indiscriminate massacre of all ages and sexes. 

''It is rigiit, it is mercifi:! to intiict on these savages, those 
cruelties, m hich they practice and inculcate. lu this, however, 
it is proper to select the most atrocious and vindictive. To 
spare tlie effusion of blood, even of savages, and to effect that 
secnrily, w hich arises even from example, it is prudent and wise 
to select those men, as objects of retaliation and punishment, 
AN ho are the most active in practising "and inflicting. Who 
then could have been selected as examples, with more justice 
and ])olicy, than tijcse two foreigners ; who had been taught in 
the school of humanity, aiul understood the distresses Nvliich 
their conduct would inflict. The General had a right to exe- 
cute them without trial. There could be no good reason, to 
try these men, which would not apply to the chiefs, who were 
l:ung without trial, except the necessity of ascertaining, whether 
they wcjo in fact concerned, in provoking and prosecuting hos- 
tilities. All tliat Jackson could have legally done, would hav&. 
been to Ri)p()int a board of qfficsrs ta ascertain the fact." 
Page 134: — 

"1 confess, sir, I am excited, and my sensibility is-iiwakened.. 
My Imagination transports me into some distajit wilderness, in 
some sequestered sj)ot. A female form stands before me, and 
seems to say — "Once I enjoyed the conveniences and pleasures, 
of life, excluded in some measure, from the enjoyments and al- 
lurements of the world. 1 was ha])py, in the society of my 
liu.sbaiul, and the embraces of my children. The bounties of 
Providence were {lour'd, in coj)ious eirusion; the sun (»f pros- 
jierily had risen, was shcdJing its beams upon us, and hasten- 
ing to its lucredian. ""But it was at once obscured by a cloud.. 



[ 15 ] 

Some foreign incendiary, prompted by a\arice or revenge^ ex- 
cited the savage, and provoked him to vengeance. The mid- 
night yell was heard-— our habitations were assailed — Uie doors 
were forced — the horrors of despair thickened around us — my 
husband met and fell under their fatal stroke — My cliildren 
cling to my neck, and fasten on my bosom : they weie torn 
from my embrace, and mangled and jnurdered in my presence t 
I was doomed to a more lingering fate — to endure the torch and 
faggot, and wait the tardy approach of the fatal messenger, i)i 
most excruciating torment. Our spirits have taken their fligiit 
— our mangled bodi«^s are cast out, a prey to the vultures and 
Wolves of the deserts — jour bones scattered and bleached on the 
mountains. Go and tell the advocates of false humanity, — go, 
tell your countrymen, who revel and wanton in the luxuries of 
freedom, that there h an avenging God ; that justice and mer- 
cy demand a prompt and severe retribution ; that duty and 
policy demand tliat you should punish, with i?istant death, every 
foreign instigator of Indian barbarity, wherever he may he, and 
w henever found. Then will your country become the pi'ctcc- 
tors of the unfortunate, and the defender of the defenceless : then 
will you have tranrjuility on your borders, prosperity in your 
dwellings: then will your peace be as a river, and your righ- 
teousness as the waves of the sea.' — There is a pause, and 1. 
seem to hear the responsive Amen! descending from the Throne 
of Infinite Mtercy." 

Although the last quotation is presented in the form of an in- 
spiration, yet it must be well known, that such facts have often 
Jiajipened in this country, (Kentucky;) and it is now, as well 
known, that tiie decisive punishments inflicted by General 
Jackson, have given peace and security to our borders. 

If the plain and well told truths, which Mr. Holmes' speech 
contained, had made ])ropcr impressions upon Mr. Clay's mind, 
or the rapid and brilliant exhibition of Gen. Jackson's glorious 
career, had been proj)erly appreciated, as acknowlcd'by Mr. 
Clay in his own far-famed speech, presently to be noticed, it 
W'ould not be, at this time, necessary to have written this com- 
mentary. It seems, however, that Mr. Holmes' speech gave 
oflfence to Mr. Clay; but the explanation shewed, that Mi\ 
Clay was not less mistaken upon that occasion, than he was 
immediately afterwards in his own. 

I shall now proceed to take as much nofice of that speech, as 
will suit my purposes; in which I shall shew, at least, to my 
own satisfaction, that if Mr. Clay had been equally candid witli 
liis friend, Mr. Cobb of Georgia, he also migiit have acknow- 
ledged, that he did not understand the laix^s of Mitiom, or tl.e 
construction of common language — eveu that very language 
which was used by hims^f. , 



t 16 i 

No. III. 

MR. clay's speech. 

Mr. ITolmf.s was foUoNvcd by Mr. Clay, whose sppccli bein^^ 
till' foundation, and chief authority of the wide spreading calum- 
nies, against General Jackson, relating to the Seminole war, 
and tlio execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister, will be exa- 
mined with much freedom, and at considerable length. 

It is well ascertained, that much of the prejudice against 
General Jackson, on which the public writers rely, as the means 
of depriving him of that honourable confidence and support, 
wliiclia generous, intelligent, and grateful people woukl other- 
wise award to him, has proceeded from, and is now supported 
by, the wide spreading delusions and calunuiies, which have had 
tlieir origin in tbe si>eech of Mr. Hefiry Clay, delivered on the 
floor of Congress, on the 8th day of January, 1819, relating to 
the Seminole war. 

As that speech was the foundation, and is now referred to, 
and lelied upon, by General Jackson's adversaries and calum- 
niators, as thetest of their opposition, it has become necessary, 
as well for his fame as for public usefulness, for tbe inculcation 
of truth, and the removal of error, to bestow upon Mr. Clay 
and that speech, a very candid investigation. 

This duty I now assnme; and shall endeavor to examine and 
report upon it, according to the best lights of my understanding, 
as to tlie false effect which it has had, and tbe deleterious con- 
sequences which have, and will continue to flow from it, until 
it shall be widely exposed. 

It lias been long believed, by many impartial men, of sound 
understandings, that Mr. Clay's fulminations against General 
Jackson, were in reality, intended for the President, (Col. 
Monroe:) and, that the extraordinary chaiacter of the speech, 
was excited in Mi*. Clay's bosom, in revenge j because the 
I'l-csident had not conferred upon him, the oUice of Secretary 
of State. 

Tliis is now imparted as rumour, and cannot be proved by 
me; but the speech itself proves, that Mr. Clay was excited 
by causes, very different from those which were avowed, or can 
be deduced from the speech itself; and, whether the proper 
motive may be assigned or not, is not so material to my pur- 
pose, as to show, that the impression made by the speech and 
other causes, have very materially contri'juted to withdraw 
IVom General Jackson, that high, wide spreading, and univer- 
sal aj)plause, conHdciKC, and popular estimation, in which, 
otherwise, he would have stood; and in after-times, when 
cifcrvcscent rodomontades, delivered by a popular man, will, 



[ IT ] 

either be forgotfcn, or remembered only tliat tbe autbor may 
be eitber pitied or despised. 

I sball bei'c assiiine it as a postiilatmn, tbat Mr. Clay and 
some of bis a.ss(»ciates. were isiorc excited by feclinj^s of personal 
hostility, against tlio President, (Col. Monroe.) liian tbey vvera 
by a consciousness, <bat General Jackson deserved tbe cen- 
sures, vvbicb were levelled at bis name, bis fame and bis person. 

My premises, being now folly and clearly taken. I sball pro- 
ceed with tbefipeecli, and exbibit as strong eviderice in General 
Jjickson's favour, tliat if tbe Speaker bad been really actuated 
by tiie motives wliicb be avov.ed, tliat meritorious! officer atul re- 
nowned ]?ublic servant, would bave found Mr. Clay among iiis 
most zealous eulogists and sai)parters, and v\'!)uid, witb a loud 
Voice, bave called upon tbe Congress, before wliwm it was de- 
livered, at tbe same time, and witb much moi-e bonourable mo- 
tives and feelings, to bave given tbe strongest te.-itimoniiiis, in 
favoiirof bis services, merits and fame. 

Tbe record of Mr. Clay's speech, to wbtcb I now refer, will 
be found in Niles' Rcgiste!', stipplement to volume the fifteenth* 
beginning on the 124th, a'ul eiiijing on the 135th page: from 
wliich I shall make several extracts. 
Page 124 : — 

"In rising to nddrccs you, ^ir, vpon the very interesting' .??/&» 
jed, which now engages the attention of Congress, 1 must be al- 
lowed to say, that all inferences, drawn from the course, rvhivJi 
it will be my painful ditty to take in'this discussion, of \infrien ■■ ill- 
ness either to the Chief Magistrate of the coiiniry, or to the illus- 
trious military chieftuin, wkme ojicratians are under investiga- 
tion, ■will be wholly unfounded. Toward that distinguished cap- 
tain, who has shed so niuch glory on our country, whose renown 
constitutes so great a portion (fits moral pvrperty. I never had, 
I never can have, any other feelings than those if the most pro- 
found respect, and of the utmost kindness. fVilh him my ncqnain" 
tance is very limited ; but, so far as it has extended, it has been 
of the most amicable kind.** 

Should a person, totally igu'rantof tlie pvu'poses and tenden- 
cies of this speech, best read what is here extracted from it, 
would he, or could be anticipate tbat tiie very same orator 
would, before be ceased speaking, endeavour to fix an ever- 
lasting odium and stigma, upon the name, the conduct, and the 
future reputation and fame of that man, wliom lie then called 
*Hhe illustrious military c/ivftain, that distinguished captaiui 
■:^tvho has shed so much glory on our count' y, whose renown con- 
stitutes so great a portion of its moral property, I wver had, I 
never can have, any other feelings but those of the moU profound 
fesjjcctf and of the utmost4;indness,*' 

C 



^^8 f 

Mr. Clay's eulogium on General Jackson was, precisely 
what lie deserved, what the whole nation knew he deserved; and 
what Europe unwillingly re-echoes ; and, had Mr. Clay not 
made the acknowledgment, broad, clear, and distinct as it was 
made, he knew that no credit would he allowed, for what he 
and his associates had determined to say Jind to do ; and that 
was, to stigmatize him, and render his name odious and re- 
proachful, whenever and whereever it might be pronounced.-— 
Mr. Clay's p4'otestations of having no feelings towards liinij, 
except of profound respect and of the utmost kindness, was a 
part of the same contrivance, and was, no doubt, deemed neces- 
sary to secure those purposes, which he durst not avow; those 
purposes, which were thes«»!e objects of the speech ; those pur- 
poses which his partizans have endeavoured to promote and in- 
sure from that hour to this : that is to fix an everlasting stigma 
upon ^^tluit Ulustrions military chieftain, that distinguished cap- 
tain, whose renown constitutes so great a portion of the moral 
property of the country.'* Yes, Mr. Clay made a pompous ac- 
knowledgment of all this; professed his respect and friendliness 
for General Jackson ; and yet concealed in his bosom a poig- 
nard, which he intended, if an occasion should occur, to use, 
with vindictive fury; to lay all those valuable attributes of 
character prostrate at his own feet, and to give to himself a 
fMse character and wide spreading name, as a patriot of such 
incorruptible integrity and firmness of purpose, that even the 
atchiever of so much, and his personal friend too, should, if 
guilty, be doomed to disgrace, ignominy and destruction. 

Such are my deductions ; and if Mr. Clay shall now say, that 
I have misrepresented his purposes, or misconceived his lan- 
guage, I will reply to him, that he does not comprehend the 
tendencies and determinations, of his own words and actions. 

I will nov.' pass on, and take into consideration another ex- 
tract. It will be recollected that the avowed purpose of Mr. 
Clay's speech, was, to examine into General Jackson's conduct, 
relating to the Seminole war; all of which he most severely re- 
probated : but that part of General Jackson's conduct, w hich 
related to the trial and execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister, 
Was chiefly relied u\)ou. It is proper here to obsei've, that 
these men were British subjects. I'hey had become aiders, 
abettors and partakers in that war. They had the command 
and controul of resources, which enabled them to supply the 
Indians, with arms, amunition, provisions, cloatiiing and mo- 
ney ; and they did supply all these things, and whatever else 
was necessary to excite the Indians to the rommission of the 
most barbarous murders upon American citizens, of all ages 
and sexes. 



*[ IS' 1- 

General Jackson acted under the poVer and orders of the 
American government ,• one of winch was, to employ the au- 
thority conferred on liim, to terminate the %var. He was far 
from the scat of government. His orders were positive, to ter- 
minate the war. He had force enougli to do it. He was di- 
rected, if necessary, to enter the Spanish terntory; of tliat ne- 
cessity he, and he only, was the judge. When thus ordered, 
and distant more than 1000 miles from the seat of government, 
and from the President, he received information, that the In- 
dians, and those other demons who had associated with them, 
had withdrawn from the United States, and had taken up tiieir 
stations within the Spanish lines. General Jackson saw at 
once, that he could not comply with his orders, to terminate the 
'tvar, without pursuing them ; and he saw also, that he was per- 
mitted, if necessary, to pursue them. He did so ; and by the 
rapidity of his movements, (so usual to him,) he had the good 
fortune to seize upon both Arbuthnot and Ambrister; and or- 
dered an inquiry. On the trial of the first, there were found 
between 40 and 50 American scalps in his possession, newly 
taken, from all ages, from the grey headed matron to the feeble 
infant! In the vessel of the otlier, the correspondence was ob- 
tained, which shewed that he also was equally guilty. 

These nefarious, bloody and guilty men were confined: A; 
number of officers were authorized to examine and report on 
their cases — They did so ; and found them guilty, and sentenced 
them to death ! but they recommended Ambrister, who was a 
very young man, to a milder punishment. General Jackson 
had been ordered by the President, to terminate the war. It 
was impossible to hold any intercourse with the President at 
such a distance. He was well satisfied of their guilt, of the 
influence they had over the Indians, and of the resources they 
could command, to ensure and continue that influence. He 
knew from the scalps, and the correspondence which had been 
obtained, that they were so much steeped in blood, were so 
inured to the sounds of death, so charmed with the shrieks of 
the wounded and dying, and so delighted by the music of lamen- 
tation, that their own deaths were necessary to terminate the 
tvar, and to save the innocent and helpless; and he therefore 
ordered them to execution. 

It is true, that the court did recommend Ambrister, one of 
these offenders, to a milder punis'.iment than death; it is equal- 
ly true that General Jackson disregarded that recommendation, 
— and he was right in doing so : because by that course he 
would not have discharged the orders of the President, "to ter- 
minate the war.''* 

It is not pretended, even by Mr. Clay, that Arbuthnot and 
Ambrister were not guilty j 'but, it is alledgcd, that General 



i[ 20 ] 

lacUson proved Ijimsolf to bo a Mood-fliirsty tyrant, in inflicting 
the puiiishmoiit ordcalh, when iie might consistent with his du- 
ty, have spared theii' jives ; and, that ho imd violated the con- 
£titution. 

An Ijnnoiii'ahle moniihc!* of that very court lias stated, in nay 
prcseace. that tiiese. ofteudei's were guilty ; that the proof was 
conipleto, and coidd i^ot he denied ; that oneoftheui, Arbutli- 
iiot, was ar» a!;>-ed man, of good nsanners, talents and education, 
and had heen lonu^ imn'cd to the destriutifH! Jiud scalpinc^ «»!" thw 
uliitcf*; that. Anibrisler was a youn;^ man, had heen allured hy 
the other to engage in t!ie work of masnacre ; that he appeared 
to be penitcmt. wept bitterly, an<i b«gged(nr mercy; that the 
conn Nverc soiily indnred to recommend him to mercy, (roin 
tlieii'own Kynspathies, i\>\\\ nut from any doubt of his gdift. 

Mere then, gnilt was not* osdy proved, but admitted ; aud Gen-, 
era! Jackson was called npon, to dcciiie between tiie order of 
government, to iermbiate (he war. and tSie sympatliies of a few 
Imnnnrable and benevolent men, who knew not what ordei's ex- 
isted, the extent of mischief they had perpetrated, nor the ex- 
tent of means v.'hi'h thry could command for the commission of 
new ci-imes. Had the General Jet tlsem loose — had thoy com- 
menced a new career — iiad tiiousands of our citizeiis been roas- 
fiaci-ed, how^ many tongues, how nsany tim(;sands of tongises 
Mould have condemned and execrated CJeneral Jackson, \\\m 
indeed, might have alledgcd that the sympathies of a few lion- 
curable and benevolent men, iiad iniiucod him to forget and jjre- 
termit his dut}', because a young tiian, in the bloom of youth, 
but steeped in guilt, covered with shame, and clothed in scalps, 
bad shed repentant tears. Would such an answer have been 
received as a satisfactory one by the government ? VVoidd it 
liave satisfied the peojde ? And, would not the self same Mr. 
Clay, who has held uj) General Jackson ns a fit subject for 
odium and ac( tjs-.ition. hiive foni.id sunicirnt excitf'ments to have 
tai'nished his laurels. ai;d c'l^sicued his naFtie to eternal i-e- 
proach a))d execration i? It h;is been already stated, that Ar- 
buthnot and Ambtister were Eiitish subjects, and of course 
foreigncr>s. 

Page 123, — Mr. Clay adinKled an<l stated, that *^a foreigner 
cnnnecli'ig Inmr.dJ tntk a hdUgnuvi, becomes an enemy of tkt 
'party lo -whom ilwt l^tlligerant is opposed, suhjcci to 'nhalever he 
may be aubjcet, enlitied to whatever he may he eiitilled. Jirbnih- 
not and Jimhrisler, hy ossociaiiv.g themsehrs^ Iccame identified 
Ti'itiitlie Ivdians. T/tey hccame guv eveivies, and we had a right 
to heat them as we could lawfully Ireat the Indians. These posi- 
lions were so ohxdi,n?,ly correct, ihnl he should consider il, abuse 
of Ihc patience cf the conimiltcc, to consume time in their proof. 
Theij were supparlcd by the jiracticc cf all iialions, and of our 



- -I ti ] 

«wn.. Jh)ery page of historij, and the recollection »f evcrtf mem" 
her, furnish evidences of their truth." This is the acknowledg-r 
inent of Mr. Clay. 

Now, as it had been proved beyond all doi/bt, tliat Arbuthnot 
and Ambrtster liad associated themselves with the Indians, had 
been concerned in cold blood, in killing and scalping the whites, 
—did they not, by the proofs, become identified uiUi tlic In- 
dians ? Did they not become our enenties, and had we not a 
right to retaliate upon them, and did not General Jackson per- 
form his duty to his country, to the government and to moral 
justice, by inflicting upon them the punishment of death ? 

Page 131 ; — ''Mr. Claij said, that he cheerfidlij and entirely 
acquitted General Jackson of antj intention to violate the laws of 
his country, or the obligations of humanity. He was persuaded 
from all that he heard, that he thought himself equally respecting 
and observant of both." 

If then su('h were Mr Clay's opinions and feelings ; if he 
acquitted General Jackson of ''all intentions to violate the laws 
of his country or the obligations of humanity ;" if he considered 
Lini •'«« illustrious military chieftain, a distinguished captaiUf 
who had shed so much glory on our cou/ntry, toltose renown con- 
stituted so great a portion of its moral property ;" for whom "he 
entertained feelings of the most profound respect, and of tlic ut- 
most kindness ;" wliat then induced Mr. Clay to seek his dis- 
grace and destruction ? 

Page 124 :- — In regard to Spain, Mr Clay said, ''•that he ap- 
proved entirely of the conduct of his government, and that Spain 
had vo cavse of cmplaint. Huving violated an important stipu- 
lation of the treaty of 1795, that power h'ldjustbj subjected her- 
self to the consequences which ensued, upon the entry of her domhu 
iom, and it belonged not to her to complain of those measures which 
resulted from her breach of contract ; still Ic'is, had she a right ta 
examine the considerations connected with the aome.s'ic aspect of 
the subject." This subject was aftei'wai'ds introduced into the 
Ui-itish Ouiiso of Coujmons, and the Pritiic Minister of that 
nation has since declared, tisut that government had no cause 
of complaint. — (Mr. Clay and his associates are the only com- 
plainants.) ^ 

Page 124: — ^* Thai, no other censure was proposed against 
General Jackson, than wJtat was merely coiisequenlial." (Here 
Mv. Clay nseanta public censure, or stigma.) 

Page 125 : — He again avers, "'tJiat there was no censure any 
where^ but wiiat was strictly consegneniial.'" (That is, merely 
theoretical, speculative and degrading.) 

Page 1^:29 : — ^^There was no moral right, to retaliate upon the 
Indians, because it had not been the- usage of the country ; and^ 
lecav.se the Indians would ^ot be induced by the fear ofretuliation. 



|. .22 % 

to cha\^e their mode of warfare : thaU uUhougk Arlndhnot and; 
Ambrisier belonged to a civilized nation, where retaliation was 
practised, having associated themselves with a savage people, the 
Indians, as;ainst whom retaliation was not enforced, they there- 
fore, shouii' be exempted from the consequences of retaliation, be- 
cause it was not the usage to enforce it upon the Indians.''^ — 
(Woi!(1im(u1 logic !) 

According to this doctrine* of Mr. Clay, which his friends, 
and followers have advocated, promulgated and recorded in his 
far-famed sj»eech, which they say is the nc plus ultra of elo- 
quence, i)atriotism, political wisdom and benevolence ; and con- 
tributes to j)rove him to be a great statesman ; any tribe of In- 
dians may pursue the most flagitious and murdering course ; 
and, therefore, if lawless outcasts and banditti of any, and uU 
countries, harbour with them,, and take part in their crimes, 
that tiio Indians are to be exempted from all punishment, be- 
cause it kas not been the usage of the whites, \»ho arc civilized, 
to do more than to oppose and repel them in battle, rtnd to 
csciii)e their wiles and stratagems : but, should they fall into 
our hands, as captives taken in the course of the war, the hand 
of retaliation is not to be lifted against them : nay, more, that 
tlio murderers, outcasts, fugitives and vagabonds of all other 
countries, if taken witii them— though bedecked in the scalps 
of your wives and children, shall be likewise cherished, petted, 
caressed and soothed ; and again allowed t» go forth, with new 
excitements, the strongest of which would be the exemption from, 
punishment, even if taken in open battle. 

Such is Mr. Clay's benevolence, his philosophy, his patriot- 
ism, his political policy, his contradictions, his absurdity and 
iargon. tiucii, Uio, is the pc/jitical policy of his partizans, fol- 
lowers, eulogists and dupes ! But, such was not the policy or 
practise of General Jackson ; and, because he enforced the 
salutary principle of rclaliation, connected with the lives of 
thousands: becaus;'. Ite iiiiiicted death upon those who had been 
the instigators of many murders, taken in the proper course of 
war, he iiad i-endered himself worthy of public disgrace, or per- 
haps, according to Mr. Clay's policy, of capital punishment; 
because, it would be consequential upon his coiidudt ! 

Thus then, according to the policy of this great statesman, 
this unrivalled patriot, General Jackson, for obeying the orders 
of the President, which it was his sworn duty to do, would ex- 
pose himself to disgrace, and to ininih.liment — and in failing to 
comply with the same orders, he would have been exposed to be 
cashiered, to expulsion from oihce, and perhaps, to be shot. 

Fellow men and citizetjs! I give yon these conclusions as the 
unavoidable lesults of Mr. Henry Clay's opinions and man- 
dates. Shotdd his friend's, foll«wers and dupes be suUicicntly 



[ 23 ] 

numerous to confer upon liim, the oflice of Ciiief Magistrate of 
the country, you may form some opiniion of his future propen- 
sities and conduct, by this specimen of notoriety and of record. 
Besides this speech, which is relied upon as his chief and high- 
est claim to olTlce, power and glory, there are others which, 
when investigated, aj)pcar equally exceptionable, and not less 
the effects and productions of a deranged intellect, than this at- 
tempt to flibgrace one of the most useful and meritorious of all 
your fellow citizens. 

Now 1 ask, in the proud feelings of conscious candour and 
Tirtue, in wliat do Mr. Clay and myself differ in opinion, con- 
cerning this immortal man? I believe all that Mr. Clay has 
said to be due to him, whom he denominates an 'Hllustnous 
military chieftainf a distingiiished captain.'* May I not refer 
to, and rely on such a witness? or wlien I use similar language 
towards the same exalted man, why should Mr. Clay or liis 
friends, for my having said so and no more, upbraided mc as 
the enemy of Mr. Clay ; and also, that I am a h vp»crite, when 
I say, that I believe in Mr. Clay's testimony upon this very 
subject ? In answer, I claim only the privilege of requiring 
his friends to believe, that 1 am of the opinion advanced by him ; 
and that I sincerely confide, in that opinion, as here given, in 
connection with my own. 

A candid mind, now for the first time, invited to pass an 
opinion, upon the conduct of General Jackson, upon the testi- 
mony and admissions adduced by his accuser and enemy, will 
be compelled to decide in his favour; to acquit him; and by 
that acquittal, to retaliate the odium and stigma, which were 
designed for him by his accuser. Upon this and such like oc- 
casions, every man must rely, either upon his own understand- 
ing, or upon the impulses he may receive from vs hat others may 
say, and he will decide either according to his reason, his pre- 
judice, or as a })artizan. 

At the time when this investigation happened, I was and had 
long been well acquainted wiih Mr. Clay, and was partial to 
him. I was also acquainted with General Jackson, and had 
entirely approved of his public conduct; and, like Mr. Clay, 
I had imbibed the opinion, that his renown constituted a great 
■portion of the moral prnperty of our cmntr^j. What tijcn was 
ray astonishment when I found, that a man of high aiifjiority 
and popularity, knowing and believing exactly as I did, should, 
in his official character aud high standing, use tiiat ptfpularilv 
to destroy the private character and public fame of one, \\h0s9 
deeds of glory and usefulness had expanded his fame to tlie must 
distant regions of th.e earth ! 

Upon this occasion, I separated my hopes, my feelings, my 
?ipplause; from Mr. Clay; and more closely uuited and devoted 



[ £4 f 

the bcvst feelings of my lieart, to that ''illusbious chieftain^ that 
distinguished captain, yvhose renoT.vn formed a great 'portion of 
the moral propertrj of our co^intrii ;*' and I then determined upon 
what had liajjpcned, Hiat General Jarkson was worthy of the 
hi.2:l!est confidence and |)o\ver, wiiich fais country could jjive j 
and. if lu^ siionld e\er consent to servo as tljc President of the 
United States, that 1 would, to the extent of my means, pro- 
mote liini to that office. This I have done; and, in adducing' 
my I'easons so much in detail, I have clearly convinced my 
readers that I am. or ou.^lit to be, sincere. 

The same causes, which thus united my feelings and confi- 
dence with General Jackson, had a retro-active effect as related 
to Mr. Clay. 1 inquired, but in vain, for v\hat honest and ra- 
tional ]}urpose, he had made that fulminating rodomontade 
against iieneial Juc kson, for whom he professed respect and 
friendsiiip , of whom he said as much as words could convey f 
and whom most cheerfully and entirely, he acquitted o{ *'any 
infenlion to violate the laws of the country, or the obligations of 
hnninnitjiJ' 

Impartial reader, pause! Retrace what you have just read; 
and, if you' have forgotten any part of it, peruse it again, and 
agiiiii : ask yftiuself, in the calmness of reason, and devotion to 
truth, under the best powers of }'our mind, wljat more would 
you require, togiAC youi* acquittal your aj>i)lausc and your 
confidence to General Jackson ? And say, are you not also 
willing to secure and enjoy your share of that renown, which 
Mr. Clay tells you. constitutes a gieat j)urtion of the moral 
•property ofyour country ? I have, as to myself, so determined ; 
and have so acted, and shall continue so to act: — Go thou, (re- 
penr, ii" necessary ;) ajid do hkevyise, Oi", if you can find in 
your bosom, any tiling to induce you to sanctity the unholy 
pu!'po.ses of '"'1r. Clay and his confederates, to fix a public and 
everlasting stigma upon tliis 'Mllusfrious chieftain," this "dis- 
tinguished cajjtain,"' this imsnorlal man ; then, you will reject 
the testin;ony, r.iul the admissions of his accuser, his enemy, 
jjis pros( culor, lUid bccume a participator in tiiat tissue of in- 
gratitude, injustice, calumny, ini;|uity and parracide, which 
are socniinenlly exhibited by all those who aided or abetted Mr. 
Clay, in tiiat investigation, which rclatod to the Seminole wa* 
and to your illnsti'ious chieftain and fellow citizen. 

Oft have I sought for Mr. Clay's motives, upon the occasion 
under notioe ; but so far as I can derive'any light, fr^mi his own 
speech, 1 rati find none, except to ascribe it to an inebi-iated, 
iiillated and dci-;,iigc'd understanding. Although there are many 
who say that he adoptc(i this Machiavellian project of annoying 
and «Uiraciing, from the character and jiublic itifluence of the 
President; but J cannot allow myself to believe, that this was 



r 25 ] 

Ills motive ; because, at tlie commencement of his speech, he 
voluntarily, and without shewing tliat a'ty necessity I'or such 
acknowledgment existed, disclaimed such motive and such 
a purpose, and again upon several occasions echoed aiul re- 
echoed the same sentiments. 

Now, as 1 rely upon Mr. Clay as my best, and in this case, 
highly competent witness, in vindicating General Jackson, I 
cannot in common sense and prudence, weaken or impugn his 
testimony in regard to the President, (Monroe.) What then, 
were Mr. Clay's motives ?— -Most certainly, no motives suita- 
hie to the impulses of a high minded and honou'rabie man, can 
be ascribed ; and I am lost and bewildered in the fruiiless^ 
search; and in the kindest and most indulgent emotions ot 
benevolence and charity, I must ascribe them to mental derange- 
ment I ' 

If Mr. Clay's eulogists and partizans deny that their great 
idol, at whose image they require all men to fall down and worship, 
is thus affected, and also deny me this deduction, then 1 re- 
ijuire of them to say in plain terms wiiat may he substituted in 
its place ? If they stand mute, and still cry aloud and say all 
who shall not fall down arid worship the image which they have 
set up, shall be cast into the burning (iery furnace, still — yet 
still, will I refuse : and while they may ascribe to their minioii 

! or master, the power even of Nebuchadnezzar, I will rely, as I 
have done, upon that Almighty hand, which has conferred up- 

1 on my humble but independent mind, the power and privilege 
of thinking without embarrassment, and acting without influence 
or fear, except the influence of truth, and the ftar of co\nmitting 
iniquity. 



No. IV. 

Upon the most full and impartial examination of the higiieet 
snost ancient and modern authorities. General Jackson's conduct 
appears to have been, not only wise and correct, but necessary 
for the peace and dignity of his country ; for the safety and hap- 
piness of that section of the country, and those inhabitants, 
whose lives and welfare our government or our President had 
put under his protection. 

The different orders of the government in relation to his diig- 
tics, are as follow : — 

26ih December, 1817. **To adopt the necessartf measures, tg 
terminate a co)iJlict, which it has ever been the desire of the Presi- 
dent, from considerations of humanity, to avoids but which isnoxo 
made necessary, bu their settled hostilities,'* 

D 



[ 26 ] 

16lh January, 1818. "To terminate specdilij the war with 
the Seminoles, and with exemplary punishment for hostilities so 
unprovoked ; the honour of the United mates requires it.** 

29th January, 1818. "^To put a speedij and successful ter- 
mination to the war." • .., ., r 

6tli Fol>niaiv, 1818. ''To terminate the rupture wiih the In- 
dians as speedily as practicable; to restore peace on such condi- 
tions, as will nrnke it honourable and permanent. The honour of 
our army, and the interest of our couutry require it.** 

Let it be observed, that when tlie government gives general 
and discretionary orders to one of its officers, it is not to be ex- 
pected tha^ at the moment when he is required to put his army 
in motion, and to conduct a battle or other military operations^ 
that he should make a lull stop, to consult Puffcndorf, Grotius, 
Vattell, Martens, &c. t« know what rule of conduct would be 
proper in such a case. Upon this occasion General Jackson 
consulted his orders. He adverted to the great Washington, 
and to the immortal Wayne— He followed their example ; and 
he could not apprehend any vexation or perplexity from MessrSo 
Henry Clay and Co. 

How Washington and Wayne acted, upon similar occasions, 
will be now shewn. 

During tlie revolutionary Mar, son^e northern tribes of In- 
dians, called the Six Nations, had conducted themselves to- 
wards the citizens of the United States pretty much in the man- 
ner that the Seminoles had done, and were doing w hen Geneja! 
Jackson received the foregoing orders. Upon that occasion, 
the immortal Washington, in virtue of his authority as the Com- 
mander in Chief of the Armies of the United States, gave the 
iollowing orders to General :- ullivan, one of his generals : — 

*'The expedition you arc appointed to command, is to be di- 
rected against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, 
■with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects 
are the tf)tal destruction and devastation of their settlements, 
and the rapture of as many prisonei's of every age and sex as 
possible." 

*•! would recommend that some post, in the centre of the 
Indian country, be occupied w ith all expedition, w itis a suflicient 
quantity of provisions, wlience parties should be ^ietached to 
lay waste the settlements around, with injunctions to do it in 
the most eftoctual manner, that the country may not merely be 
overrun buc destroyed." 

♦'After you have very thoroughly completed the destruction 
of their settlements, if the Indian's shew a disposition for peace, 
I would have you to encourage it: on condition that they \yill 
give Rome decisive evidence of their sincerity, by ilieir giving 
up some of tlieir principai instigators of past Uostiliiics into 



our hands, Butler ami Brandt, the most misclucvous of the 
torles that have joined them, or any other they nmy liavc in. 
their power that we are intcresled to get into ours. 

*'But, you wilJ not by any means listen to overtures of peace, 
before the total ruin of their sctileraents is effected. 

"Our future security will be in their inability to injure us, the 
distance to which they are driven', and the terror, with which, 
the severity of t!ie chastisement they receive will inspire them. 
Peace without this, would be fallacious and temporary. When 
we have efifcctually chastised them, we may then listen to peace, 
and endeavour to draw further advantage from their fears." 

Those orders were strictly and severely executed, and very 
favourable consequences ensued. 

Upon another occasion. General Wayne, acting as commander 
in chief, in Georgia, made many prisoners of hostile Indians. 
He was in danger of being attacked by a superior force, and he 
ordered those Indians, in cold blood, to be put to death. They 
were accordingly put to death, by the troops then under his 
command. 

These were great cases, in which tlic distinguished revolu- 
tionary heroes exercised their, own discretion and power. Their 
conduct was not only right, but necessary j and no man ever 
called either of them in question. 

I will now refer the reader to another part ofNiles' Register, 
(Sup. to Vol. XV. page 145) to another speech of Mr. Clay, 
relating to Spain and the Spanish territory. This speecJi was 
delivered previous to the Seminole war, and related to the occu» 
ipation of Florida by the troops of the United States. 
• *'/ have no hesitation i7i saying, that if a parent country 
(meaning Spain.) iviiL not or can not maintain its authority in 
the colony adjacent tons, (meaning Florida) and there exists 
in it a state of mis-rule and disorder, menacing our peace; and 
if, moreover, such colonij, passing into the hands of any other 
power, (meaning the British or Indians) would become danger- 
ous to the integrity of the Union, and manifest by tend to the sub- 
version of our laws; 7ve hare a right, upon eternal principles of 
self preservation,'tQ lay hold of it'' — (meaning Florida.) 

But afterwards, when our government thought it expedient 
to act in conformiry with those principles, and that opinion, 
which had been avowed by Mr. Clay, in relation to the same 
country ; General Jackson, having received proper authority 
and instructions from his government, and having acted in con- 
formity with those instruclions, wrote to the President of the 
United Stales as follows ; — 

2d June, 1813. "The immutable principles of self defence 
justified, therefore, the occupancy of the Floridas, and the same 
j)rinciplcs will warrant the American government, in holding 



I 28 J 

them until such tmic as Spain can guarantco, by an adequate 
niilitai-y toice, the maintaining her authority within the colony.'* 

(Q^Tlic Iniliuns, negroes, and the whites then associated 
wirli them, were Ja\N less. 

According to the above extracts. General Jackson's conduct 
corresponded with Mr. Clay's opinion and speech. The mis- 
rule and disorder which existed in Fh)rida, exceeded all exam- 
ple. In such a case, Mr. Clay had saitl that, the ''eternal 
j)rincij)los of self preservation justified the government, to lay 
hold of a country thus situated."— General Jackson said "tht; 
imniutahle principles o!' self defence, justified the occupancy of 
tbe Floridas." The difference in the strength of expressions, 
seems to be in favour of Mr. Clay. He said the "eternal prin- 
ciples of self preservation, justified that they should be laid hold 
of." — General Jackson said "the immutable principles of self 
defence justified the occujjancy ;" — and yet, the very same Mr, 
• Clay soon afterwards endeavoured to stigmatize Jackson lor 
following bis advjce. 

It was reserved for Mr. Henry Clay, at the head of a con- 
siderable number of menjbers of Congiess, to reoiganize the laws 
of nations and the usages of war : they disregarded them as 
they had stood for hundreds of years ; ihey also disregarded the 
former usages, and tlie orders of the highest authority of theif 
own country, and the iuipei-adve dictates of self preservation. 
They sought to bring into contempt and. discredit, a veteran in 
var and in tbe service and duties of his country, an aged and 
most venerable sage, hero and patriot, (our President ;) and 
they sought to raise a jeil of indignation and proscription 
agaitiSt a highly meritorious otlicer, whose deeds had ranked 
him with N\ ashirgton, Sullivan, Wayne and others of his own 
countiv, and the most jenuwi.ed \Narriors of all countries ; 
vhom Mr. Cla> had called the "illustrious chieftain, great cap- 
taiji," and otherwise designated in terms of the highest honour^ 

Such were the projects and caprices of Mr. Clay, and his 
followers, in his far famed speech, and inq^uisitorial and high 
sounding defiance. 
■ In reply to this daring defiance, a full and overwhelming an- 
swer is given in the oideivs of General M'ashinglon to General 
Sullivan, itLcady quoted, and in the conduct of General Wayne, 
already noticed and stated; while Mr. Clay on his side has 
nothing to sustain his opinions and conduct, except his own 
new and absurd interpolations on the laws of nations and tbe 
usages of war — in wl.icii he totally denies the right of retalia- 
tion upon the Indians and their associates, however guilty of 
the greatest horrors and attended with tbe greatest miseries. — 
Let him and his partizans advert to what W ashington ordered, 
\vhat bullivan and \\ ayue did, and to the geacrai approbatiou 
of their country. 



[ 29 J 

Mr. Clay once was the very darlin,^ of repul)licanism ; pos- 
sessed fine talents, and they Mere devoted to great purposes. 
Latterly he has gone astray. The scenes of (ihcnt and the al- 
lurements of Europe, or some tiling else, have carried him out 
of the way; — and all men, devoted to the dignity of free and 
equal liherty would rejoice to see him, like the prodigal son, 
return, and with a true and contrite heart, seek admission into 
that fold whence a renovated spirit and character would pre- 
pare him to re-issue as the herald of liberty, republican liberty, 
to fill the honourable calling, and forget the flesh-pots, the 
fooleries, the gaudy trappings, 'and the splendour of Kurope. 
He must give up the assumed part of the great lam, and with 
due deference, endeavor to associate himself and his feelings 
with the rights, intei-est and feelings of the people; or they willj, 
most snrely, desert him. 

Many persons wlio are engaged in the unholy purpose of de- 
tracting from, and raising prejudices against, tieneral Jackson, 
have circulated a report that he, when under trial before the 
Senate, in a paroxi^.m of passion, declared that he would cut off 
the ears of the Senate. 1 here arc many who contribute to the. 
circulation of this fable, who not onlyAnow it to be untrue, but 
they coidd, if they would, tell the truth. But since they have 
not told it, nor appear inclined to do so, I will endeavor to re- 
lieve their consciences from the further sin of countenancing 
any longer such a falseliood. General J ackson was never under 
trial. But the Senate, as tlie House of Representatives had 
done, usurped unconstitutional powers, and authorized a com- 
mittee to investigate and make an exparte report, relating to 
General Jackson's conduct in tlie Seminide war. Mr. Lacock, 
one of the membeis from PennsyKania, was the chairman of 
that committee. Near the end of the session, he made an ex- 
parte report, drawn i«p with some ability, calculated to injure 
the charactei- and fame of Jackson. It was not believed that 
the report wasdiH\\n up bv Lacack. but that he had debased 
liis office and lent liiiTiseil, as a cat's paw, to inflict an injury 
and gratify somebody wiso was behind the cuitain. 

Many copies of tiiat j-eporl wire piintcd under the sanction 
of the Senate, and carried with them the impression that it was 
a fair, candid and correct report. It was therefore calculated 
to excite great prejudice and defamation against Jackson. All 
of tliese things being consider* d, Jackson no doubt felt an hon- 
est, and I think a laudable indignation, against them, and most 
likely uttered some very.strong expressions, wiiich bis enemies 
and calumniators have converted into a threat, that he would 
cut off the ears of the Sehate; and the misrepresentation of 
this report, without any explanation or extenuation, has 're* 
circulated far and wide. 



[ 30 1 

I do not pretend to assert what may liave been actually true; 
hilt tlierc is very little doubt tiiat some members of the Senate, 
witli Mr. Lacock at their head, did act in a most indecorous and 
ilag-rant manner a.gainst Jackson, which fully justified harsh 
exj)ressions against them ; but let it he remembered that be was 
not before them : that some of their body had lent themselves 
to some intriguers not of that house, to injure his fame. They 
had no power to do more. 

It is possible that the representation noAV givea may not be 
exactly correct, but I have no doubt, that substantially it is so : 
nor have I any hesitation in staying that all persons, wljether 
Senators or otiiers, concerned in detracting from the fame and 
honourable standing of Gencial Jackson, have made themselves, 
conspicuous candidates for disgrace and infamy, or for water 
gruel and a strait jacket. 

It has been reported that Mr. Crawford, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, was the writer of the report called Lacock's; and 
that Mr. Larock disgraced the office he then held, by becoming 
a cat's j5a\v to suit the purpose of Mr. Crawford. My own 
opinion against (lie authors and abettors of it is so unfavoura- 
ble, that I will not allow myself without more and better jiroof, 
to say more than if Mr. Crawford was thus guilty, be does not 
possess that dignity of mind and purpose whirh should entitle 
liim to hold the office of President, to wliich he now aspires; 
nor do I imagine that any tiling so dishonorable, during his 
whole life, can be imputed to General Jackson. 

Tl)e forbearing conduct of General Jackson towards liis 
great enemy, Mr. Clay, is a strong evidence that the Senators, 
liowever guilty and however deserving of punishment, were not 
in any real danger of losing their ears, unless they were held 
by so slight a tenure that they might be severed by the very 
breath of an injured and angry man, 

I. shall now close my remarks on this far famed speech of 
Mr. Clay, with his own conclusion. 

Page 133: — ^' Arc farmer services, hoivever cmincnti, to pro- 
tect Jrovi even inquiring into recent niiscondnct ? Is there to be 
no limit, no prudential bounds to the national gratitude ?^* — In 
these interrogatories Mr. Clay evidently alluded to the suc- 
cesses of General Jackson in the war with the Creek Indians, 
the victory of New Orleans and the Seminole war; but even, 
upon this occasion, he condeuHjed the mandatory character of 
the treaty, and inferred, tltat Jackson's misconiliict in the lat- 
ter, should supercede and ohiiteratc all grateful feelings for all 
iormer ser\ i^es and successes. **JIe tvas not disposed to censure 
the President, for not ordering a court of inquinj, or a general 
court martial.'* Here Mr. Clay indirectly gave it as his 
opinion, that so glaring had been tlic misconduct of General 



I 51 ] 

Jackson, that it was the duty of the President to have done one 
or the other of these things : but yet, so forbeaiin.a^ and kind 
hearted was he, he was not disj»osed to censure the Presidentf 
for not doing what he, in the plenitude of his sagacity and pat- 
riotism had done, in his official character, as a member of Con- 
gress ; thereby shewing that he was not only a greater and. 
better statesman than the President, but so watchful over th<; 
liberties and renown of his country, that no service, no extenuat- 
ing circumstance, should shield the intended victim of his ven- 
geance from digrace oi' destruction. 

Speaking of the President, he says, **Perhaps impelled by a 
sense of that gratitude, he detei-mined by anticipation, to extend 
to the General, that pakdon, which he had the undoubted right 
to grant after sentence." Here Mr. Clay strongly insinuates 
that General Jackson's misconduct was sach, that a court mar- 
tial would necessarily, as a matter of duty, condemn him ; but 
that the President, under the excitements of gratitude, would 
pardon him, even after sentence. Mr. Clay had certainly for- 
gotten what he had just before admitted, that General Jackson's 
conduct was justified by the orders of the President, and the 
President had done nothing worthy of censure. Why thcli 
should a court be ordered ? Why presuppose that the President 
had dispensed with a court, under the influence of gratitude for 
former services, connected with the power, to yardon after sen- 
tence ? *'But," said Mr. Clay, «'Iet us not shrink from our 
duty ; let us assert our constitutional powers, and vindicate the 
instrument from military violation." Here M\\ QVny requires 
of Congress to perform their duty, assert their constitutional 
powers, and vindicate the constitution from military violation. 
By this appeal to, and requisition upon Congress to perform 
their duty and defend the constitution from military violation, 
lie evidently charged the President with having failed to per- 
form his duty, and that General Jackson had violated the con- 
stitution; and yet, during the same speech, and at the com- 
mencement of it, he had disclaimed all "unfriendly feelings 
towards the chief magistrate, or to the illustrious militaiy 
chieftain, (whose operations wore under consideration) towards 
that distinguished captain, who has shed so much ghiry on our 
country; whose renown constitutes so great a portion of its 
moral property; towards whom he never had, never can have, 
any other feelings than tiiose of the most profound respect, and 
of the utmost kindness ;" and of whom he had said in the 131sl 
page, "he most cheerfully and cntiiely acquitted of any inten- 
tion to violate the laws of his country or the obligations of hu- 
manity :" and again concerning whom he said, -'Let us not 
shrink from our duty ; let us assert our constitutional powers, 
and vindicate the constitution from militarv violation/" "What 



f S2 3 

1^ lifre nakedly exposefl to your inspection and reflection ?— ' 
Con,e:ress are invited to try and condemn a nlan. against whom 
Mr. Clay in one breath alledges, violations of the constitution, 
and bavins? caused two murderers to be put to death ; for whom, 
meaning General Jarkson, he, Mr. Clay, entertaintd the most 
profound rt.spert andtlie utmost kindness, whom he had acquit- 
ted of any ''intention to violate the laws of his country, or the 
obligations of humanity.'* 

For what j)urpose then, I ask, did be so em])hatically call 
upon Congress to do their duty, and to vindicate the constitu- 
tion from violation ? I'lie President and General were both 
acquitted by him — Who then was thfi intended victim ? Many 
readers will be unwilling to believe that I have quoted, fairly 
quoted Mr. Clay's ow u words, uttered upon the same subject, 
in tlie same day, and to the same hearers ; and required of 
them to try and condemn a man, of whose deeds, of w'hose mo- 
tives, and of whom as an individual, he spoke in fej-ms of rap- 
turous commendation, and acquittal of all intentional violation 
of the laws of his country, or of the obligatioos of humanity, 
Mr. Clay surely forgot that the proof of intention was necessary 
to constitMte guilt. ' . 

Notwithstanding all the acknowledgements of Mr. Clay, and 
of the general notoriety of the manifold services, and of the high 
honour and disinterested patriotism of General Jackson, Mr. 
Clay in the very teeth of his own admissions, wound up this 
catalogue of absurdities, this persecuting rhapsody, in the fol- 
low ing manner : 

*'He hoped gentlemen would deliberately survey the awful 
position in which we stand. They may hear down all opposi- 
tion ; they may even vote the general the public thanks; they 
may carry him triumphantly through the house : But if they 
do, in my humble judgment, it will be the triumph of the prin- 
ciple of insubovdination, a triumph of the miiitai*y over tlie civil 
authority, a tiiumph over the powers of this house, a triumph 
over tiie constitution of the land; and he prayed most devoutly 
to Heaven, that it might not prove in its ultimate effects and 
consequences, a triumpii over the liberties of the people.'* 

Now, randid reader, 1 invite you to contrast tiiis last rhap- 
sody, with the many admissions and acknowledgements of Mr. 
Clay, variously dispersed through the sftme speech; Recollect 
that tlie service in which General Jackson had been engaged, 
Was required of him by his duty as a public officer, and by his 
opinions as a statesnjan and patj-iot; that he was covered with 
the applause, gratitude, honour and benedictions of his country; 
that his glory resounded through the world ; that that very 
glory was claimed 'ty Mr. Clay, as the common property of the 
<:ountry ; that hjc admitted that General Jackson had violatett 



I 33 1 

216 law, social, moral or divine, nor any thing which miglit 
operate with any human being as a law, except a new phantom 
which floated in Mr. Clay's brain, that the Indians, when at war 
with the United States, should be exeuspt from that course ot 
retaliation, which is justified by the laws of nations, from time 
immemorial; nay more, that all the murderers, fugitives and 
outcasts from civil society, and from all nations, who might 
associate themselves with the savages and murderers of oup 
country, should be likewise exempt. According to tliis plian- 
tom of Mr. Clay's brain, the pirates who infest the ocean, might 
j)ut themselves under Indian protection, commit ravages and 
murders witliout number, and if captured might claim the bene- 
fit of Mr. Clay's rule!! 

As respects the vindication of General Jackson, T sliall fur- 
ther refer to the laws of nations, as they were detailed and ex- 
pounded in the speeches of Col. Richard M. Johnson, General 
Alexander Smyth and Col. Talmage, to be found in the same 
publication, already referred to ; and in an elaborate investiga- 
tion and report of the Secretary of State. These references I 
make for the general benefit of the people, and not for the bene- 
fit of Mr. Clay ; for I have long known tliat he cither did not 
understand the laws of nations, or paid little or no regard to 
them; and his new principle just alluded to, fully proves that 
the universal code, to which all civilized nations have long paid 
respect, will never receive any expansion or strength from such 
a disordered and phrenzied mind, as that which has propelled 
Mr. Clay to such a tissue of absurdity, persecution and tyranny, 
as his speech verifies upon this particular ocasion. 

In regard to this far famed speech, much more might be said, 
but surely I have said and proved enoagh, to satisfy honest 
minds moderately cultivated, for fools to gape at, and to induce 
unthinking dupes to reconsider their verdict, retrace their steps, 
and to leave usurpation to follow that (luictude and repose, 
which conscious guilt may award. 

I have neither time nor inclination, to investigate or expose 
more of this far famed speech, than appeal's to be necessary, to 
shew that instead of being, as intended by the author of it, and 
believed by his dupes to be, an accusation and arraignment 
against General Jackson, when strictly examined, the facts ad- 
mitted, substantially amount to an acquittal ; and Mr. Clay, in 
the absurdities, by which he has encompassed and bewildered 
himself, has counteracted the evident purposes, for which he 
gave so much disturbance to Congress, to General Jackson 
and to the whole community. 

it will be next enquired, for what other purpose could the 
speech be applicable ? My answer shall be given briefly and, 
jplainlv, in what follows. Were all the matters to which that 

K 



4 34 ] 

speech delated, pnlircly new, ;ind were I a total stranger to all 
those who are niuncd therein, I should conclude, that the repre- 
sentatives of Arbnthnot and Ambrister, of Hillishajo and the 
Sonunole Indians, tlie Kinj^ of Spain and the Kin.e; of England 
liad all made a common cau.-JC against General Jackson, had 
cmj)lo}ed ISIr. Clay, as tlieir counsel to prosecute him ; that 
Congress had usurped the privilege and authority to hear the 
investigation, in their own body, and liad really devoted itself 
to (his anomalous trial ;and that while Mr. Clay, as th6 coun- 
sel for this motk^y congregation of Kings, murderers and vaga- 
bonds, while discharging his duties as counsel, felt himself 
pleading before himself iim] colleagues, in justice and duty, 
bound to recite and acknowledge the distinguished services, 
with the iiigh and honourable character of General Jackson, 
and to claim for his country the fame, reputation and enco- 
miums of General Jackson, as the moral proj)erty of that coun- 
try, anci to admit that General Jackson had violated no law, nor 
the. obligations of humanity, so as to establish by voluntary con- 
fession, that General Jackson's errors were slight and ex- 
cusable. 

If it he true, that Mr. Clay believed himself, and that, if 
General Jackson had erred, and that he had done so, without 
intention, wherefore, then should such a prosecution be made 
in the grand counsel of the nation ? It must be for the novel 
and exti'aordinary purpose, of establishing the great value of 
General Jackson's ati hievements, the inipeccability of his cha- 
racter, his honourable intentions, aiul at the same time, to ex- 
cite such a falsp prejudice against him. by tl»e effects of his own 
eloquence, if absurd rhapsody can be called eloquence, as to fix 
an odium and stigma against the General, a))d then to usurp the 
Ijonourahle effects and impulses from him, and to appropriate 
them to himself! Give any other motive if you can. 

J do not entirely ascribe such folly and absurdity to Mr. 
Clav. nor can 1 discover how else to account for such a pre- 
midilated jumble of sense and nonsense, of truth and error, of 
aiTusation and aj)plause, of i»mocence and aJledged guilt ; aiid 
1 frankly acknowledge that 1 can neither entirely acquit Mr. 
Clay, nor condemn him ; but the more that I reHcct, the more 
am J disposed to ascribe his conduct and his fulminations to . 
tlie effects of a deranged understanding, and the fervent deter- 
minations of a mind, which had been long intoxicated and in- 
fatuated by public applause, bouiuiless vajiity and insatiable 
ani!)ition. 

JiCt any man, whose honesty will permit him to act with can- 
dour, and whose intellectual attaininoiits will equally qualify 
Iiim to employ the requisite talents, tak^- a calm view of the 
entire speech, in the view I have done, and of tiiose otlicrs of 



i 



. r 35 f 

Holmes, Johnson, Smyth. Rhea'atuf Talviiaclge: if so, lie will 
find, tliat tlic coiiiniendations <»t" General Juckson and accusa- 
tions a.sraiust him, are so nuch tliroMn at broadcast througUout 
this nondesf'i ij't , ydomontade, tliat one hardly knows how suf- 
ficiently to tiank or censure Mr. Clay, for the striking con- 
trasts which are exhibited,* every candid enquirer must deter- 
mine, that puch a tissue of absurdity, such a variegated rhap- 
sody, is MO where else to be found. Let iiim read in succession 
the foregoing extracts, and what epithets will he apply to 
JMcssrs. Clay and Co. ? 

Ihese consitierations have authorized me to rely upon so 
much of the ailedged facts, as will subserve the purposes of 
UefeiicCj and claim under the effects of testimony so strong, so 
competent, and so much in harmony with the general impres- 
sions and public records of tlie times, the highest applause and 
justification of General Jackson, which can be exemplified by, 
M'ords. 

Upon the whole, T deem Mr. Clay's speech to be the most 
impressive vindication of Indian barbarities and depredations, 
of kingly prerogative and congressional usurpation, which has 
ever come under my notice ; and if indeed he has received pe- 
cuniary compensation, from an association of Kings, murder- 
ers, savages and depredators, as their counsel, for doing so, it, 
sliould be enquired, whether a m«^mber of Congress and Speaker 
of that body, should be allowed to descend from the chair, to 
disgrace his high office, and degrade himself, as the accuser of 
one of tiie most efficient, successful and meritorious men, who 
ever existed in this or any other country ; and for such doings, 
to claim and receive the thanks, applause and approbation of 
his country? and upon such a false and delusive capital, to 
claim the highest ollice in the gift of the people ! ! ! 



No. V. 

COL. Johnson's speech. 

Mk. Clay was followed by R. M. Johnson, in an able anil 
tlaborate speech, in justification of his companion inarms and 
in glory. This speech was a full exemplification of an enlarged 
and well disciplined understanding, and of a benevolent heart. 
Although Col. Johnson was covei;ed with honour and glory, 
acquired on a different theatre, and gave testimonials, by his 
many wounds, that he had been in the midst of battle and dan- 
ger, .no jealous, sinistrous and envious throbbings played around 
Jiis honest heart. He revered the raau whose good fortunep 



\ 36 ] 

under the guidance of divine Providence, liad secured for liim^ 
a nanie, so glorious and exalted, as to be second to no other. 
He rejoiced also in the deliverance, which his country had re- 
ceived from a danger, which threatened public liberty, private 
propeity and female virtue. He forgot himself and every other 
consideration, and paid that honourable and grateful devotion, 
to talents and worth, which Mere the si)ontaneous offspring of 
unsullied patriotism. Such were his feelings and such was his 
coivduct. I will barely advert to a few extracts from his speech, 
although many otliers equal in character might be quoted. 

Gol. Johnson was a member of the committee, which inquired 
into General Jackson's conduct, and oj)posed the report. 

Page 135. — He stated, that *'tbe conduct of Gen. Jackson, 
in regard to the trial of Arbuthnot and Ambrister, had been 
the subject of censure, from a misconception of the law, and the 
facts coJinected with it; and particularly by confounding two 
princi])lcs of the laws of nations, which were in themselves 
separate and distinct. The general order directing the execu- 
tion of these men asserted, tiiat the subject of any nation, ma- 
king war upon a nation at peace with that to which he belongs^ 
is an outlaw and a pirate." 

Col. Joheson said, **he would venture to say, that every 
ground taken by tbat man, whose valour and conduct on the 
memorable 8th of January, in the darkest period of the late 
war, had caused joy to beam from every face, would be found 
tenahle on principles, \>hich have prevailed from the commence- 
ment of civilization to the present day. He pledged himself to 
produce chapter and verse, to support his conduct, in every in- 
cident of the war.'^ 

Page 1 37. — "If he was justified in the right interpretation of 
the law, in what he had done, (as Mr. Johnson contended Gene- 
ral Ja( kson was;) he could not see, on what piinciple, so great 
a hostility was raised against one of the most distinguished offi- 
cers of their country ; who had borne the helmet in the front of 
Ijattle, in lighting its cause, whose every object was the good of 
his country, and who enjoyed the affection of th« countiy, iji a 
degree, not to be taken from him, but by treason, or the impu- 
taticn of improper motives. 

"He had already statwl that General Jackson displayed more 
knowledge, in the wiids of Florida, on this subject, than any 
lueuiber wlio had taken part in th'S discussion." 

Page 138. — "Beauty and boot>, were the watchword of tlie 
cnen»j. Had you ratherJ sir, tliat the enemy had succeeded in 
his object, or t]»at this patriot should have put military law \n 
force? As to the General, whose conduct I am proud to vindi- 
cate, I cousiuer hiui, in the grave as to ambition, except th€ ac^ 



[ 37 1 

bition to serve his country. He has added to the glory of Its 
country, more perhaps than any other living citizen." 

Page 142. — "Will you, under sucli circumstances, bring cen- 
sure aud sorrow on the grey hairs of him, whose hand never 
faltered in discharge of duty to his country ? You knew his 
character when you sent him there, and knew he would finish 
what he hegan. Suppose he had dishonoiiied his men at St. 
Marks, and a handful of Spaniards had put l>im to flight, what 
then should we have heard, in a voice of thunder, reverberating 
from all sides of this house ?" • 

Although every sentence of Col. Johnson's speech, was wor- 
thy of the subject, of himself, of the cause he espoused, and of 
itis country, I have contented myself with a few quotations to 
shew its cliaracter and tendencies. 

Suffice it to say, that I entertained opinions previous to the 
Seminole war, which corresponded with General Jackson's 
conduct, to which I could refer if it were necessary, not only 
relating to this subject, hut others; and i am fully persuaded,, 
if the gystem of retaliation and of a daring and determined 
energy, similar to Jackson's conduct, had been invariably pur- 
sued, that many thousands of lives would have been saved. — 
Let us now advert to the subsequent and present conduct of the 
Seminole Indians, and draw the strongest conclusions, that his 
conduct was not only just and right in itself, but by the conse- 
quences, it is established to have been wise and expedient. It 
is only necessary to say, that I entirely approve of the gene- 
rous, manly and truthful vindication made by Col. Johnson up- 
on this occasion, to give this testimonial of that opinion from the 
head, heart and hand of one of his most respectful fellow citi/- 
iens ! Johnson ! thou hast done thy dutij, and done it tcdl. 



No. VI. 

^ENERAI. ALEXANDER SMYTH'S SPEECH. 

Mr. Smith, whose speech as printed, succeeded Col. John- 
son's, employed much time in giving his views, and adding to 
the testimony of Col. Johnson. This speech is of itself, a most 
luminous view of the merits of this case. There is a demon- 
stration of great and judicious research. Were I to make re- 
ference, to every part of the speech, of strong and conclusive 
import, I should refer to the whole ; for the whole is a mixture 
of autliorities, stated facts, and strong inferences. A few quo- 
^5itJons will be noticed, 



[ 38 3 

Page 142. — *'In cxainii.in,^ the prorecdings of the armed: 
foi'ce, ill Florida, I piojiosml to make these enquiries : 

"1st. Have the rights of the United States been transcended? 

"2nd. Have the cons'titiitional powers of the President been 
exceeded ? 

*«3rd. Has General Jackson transcended his powers, or vio- 
lated the laws of nations ? • 

"The laws of nations, tike the common law of the land, is 
founded in nature and usage. To prove that a nation should 
possess a certain right, is to prove that it does possess tliat 
right, unless it is shewn that the custom and usage of nations is 
otherwise. Wc find that customs and usages, in treaties com- 
piled by writers on the laws of nations^ fully satisfied what was 
done." 

It is here proper to observe, that General Smyth fully and 
most clearly shewed, that "the armed force had been properly 
and al'iy dii-ccted and commanded ; that the President had not 
excccdtMl Iiis constitutiotial powers, and that General Jackson, 
to his transcendent abilities, as a military commander, added a 
iiiost perfect knowledge, as related to his duty and situation, 
and well understood the laws of nations." General Smith's re- 
ferences were all to the best authorities^ they suited the case in 
p()int, andean not be controverted. - 

General Smith referred to the orders of the President,'whicli 
liave been already noticed, to the example of 'Washington and 
"Wayne, to the revohitiouarj Congress, and to above fifty other 
authorities of the highest respectability ; and he miglit have 
referred to the Gi-eeks and to the Romans, even to divine au- 
thority. Let those who liave atjy doubts of what is here asserted, 
read his speech, and examine tiiose authorities ; should they do 
so, they will find how strong, how irresistably stiong, the 
ojjinions, which I have long ssipported and published, are sus- 
tained. General Smith's concKision is as follows : 

Page 154.— "Had this man lived before Hcsiad wrote and 
Homer sung, temples would have risen to his honour, altars 
would have blazed, and he would have taken his stand witli 
Hercules and Thesens. among the immortals, as the preserver 
of a nation, the \indicator of the rights of suffering humanity, 
the avenger of our matrons, bur virgins and our little ones. 

"And shall we see him depart from this city in disgrace, cen- 
sured and dismissed front office by Congress, and like Camillus, 
ju»j)loriiig Heaven so to dii-ect human affairs, that his country 
may never have occasion to regret her treatment of him ? No: 
It can not be. Forbid it, every power that guards the protec- 
tors of innocence! Forbid it, ^)olicy ! Fo/bid it, gratitude? 
Forbid it, justice! ', 



I 39 ] 
No. VII. 

MK. C. F. mercer's SPEECH. 

Mr. Mercer of Virginia, also delivered a speed* upon tiiis 
subject. If it \vere to be divested of all egotisms and eg-otisti- 
cal tendencies, there would b.e but little left, beyond the mani- 
festations of public ingratitude to one, and private ingratitude 
and injustice to another, both highly meritorious ])ub!ic ser- 
vants ; with a final decree that it Avas his will and pleasure, 
that the persons implicated in this examination, should be doomed 
to disgrace, degradation, reprobation and punishment. But 
lie most graciously was pleased to admit, that the President had 
heen his friend, his father's friend, and he might have added,- 
his uncle's friend; and yet he had voluntarily enlisted and acted 
under the auspices of, and in harmoiiy with, Mr. Henry Clay, 
in the great scheme which I have endeavoured to develope ; 
that is, to disgrace the President, his own and his fatlier's 
frend, and to expose to censure, to punishment or to a public 
stigma, a man, of whom he made so many- favourable acknow- 
ledgements and pretensions. The following arc the extracts, 
to which I shall now refer the reader's attention : 

"The report of the military committee, coupled with the reso- 
lutions, have relieved me from much inquietude. Having, be- 
fore the report of the select committee was received, denied the 
authority of Congress to punish a military oilirer, I rejoice that 
a course has been adopted, \\ hich, while it falls strictly within 
the province of this house, is calculated to heal the recent 
Wounds inflicted on the constitution, and to vindicate the un- 
sullied character of the natioTi." (x\ heavy charge were it true.) 
*'If indeed, in the progress of our present enquiry, the cha- 
racter of General Jackson, or of the executive, (meaning Col. 
Monroe.) shall suffer in the public estimation, sucli, although it 
should prove an unavoidable consequence, wil! not have consti- 
tuted the motives of our investigation. Remembering as I do, 
Mr. Chairman, with feelings common to ns all, the ti'iumph of 
of the American arms on the plains of New Orleans, I need 
scarcely say tiiat I entertain no ]>ersonal hostility tn the com- 
mander of our southern army. I frankly acknowledge too, sir, 
that I cannot in this inquiry wholly separate the President of the 
United States, from the niiiitary ofRcer, whose conduct he has 
approved; and yet, it can hardly be required of me to say that 
I entertain no personal hostility to our present chief magistrate. 
Sir, I behold in him the friend of my early youtli ', a yet more 
sacred feeling swells my heart, he was \\\y father's friend." 

It was thus, aod for such a pui'[)ose, Mr, Mercer deserted his 
friend, Uis father's friend, his uncle's friend, his cou-iitry's 



[ 40 3 

friend, and the friend of inaMkind. If hi.*? patriotic and revolu- 
tionary father and uncle could be restored to life, how would 
tliey deplore the iiii^ratitude and derilections of their represen- 
tative. Tlicir country owed much to them. Mr Mercer owed 
them the inheritance of an honourable name. His country owes 
to himself, a voluntary devotion of a gioil education, some 
talents and that honourable name to a parricidal and ungrateful 
purpose. He has given a full record against himself, which con- 
tains more to deteriorate his fame as a statesman, and of a clear 
head and grateful heart, than time, language or penitence will 
evei' ohiitei'ate or extenuate. Upon this occasion he is '[felodese.'* 

Mr. Mercer's speech had several objects in view, of which I 
shall notice but few. One was, to establish it as a settled and 
ancient principle, tliat retaliation should not be exercised ui)on 
Indians; that those wlio associate with them, let their crimes 
and offences be what they might, they were to be entitled to the 
same immunities; and that General Jackson, for having en- 
forced upon two of the Indian ringleaders, and two of their 
white associates, ,,'irhuthnot and ^mbrister, the just, right and 
necessai'y power of retaliation, deserved to be publicly tried, 
punished or stigmatized ; and that the President of the United 
States, for having approved of his conduct deserved to be cen- 
sured, and perhaps impeached and expelled from office. 

To shew his disinterestedness, his impartiality and his pa- 
triotism, he had devoted the powers of his mind and of his situa- 
tion, to these ignoble purposes. The hero, the successful war- 
rior, the illustrious chieftain, in union with the long tried pa* 
triot, the iViend of his country, the friend of his youth, nay the 
ftiend of his father, were to be overwhelmed with obloquy and 
disgrace, in competion with the sympathy, which he was about 
to manifest, in favour of four notoiious murderers, robbers and 
incendiai'ies, whose crimes had reached the heighth of daring 
and had t(>p[)'d the climax of iniquity : and it was for these and 
such as these, that Mr. Mercer acknowledged that none of 
the considerations which operate upon the spirit of justice, or 
r.pon the gcnei-ous feelings of youth, or the grateful impulses of 
riper years, should have the slightest operation upon his mind ; 
*'ijccause," »s he said, "the only lawful, end of retaliation is 
lost on an Indian. Death has no horrors for a North American 
snvage. Hunfing and war are his delight. He hates labour. 
You may punish him l>y requiring him to construct another wig- 
wam, by laying waste liis cornfields, or destroying the forest of 
his harvest. So far our retaliation has heretofore gone, and 
the peac«' it has purchased has evinced its efficacy. The Indian 
is as generous as he is biavo. In our past intercourse, we have 
sometimes conciliated his friendship by presents, and by kind- 
ness softened his ferocity. >Vhy not persevere? With him 



f 41 3 

revenge is lawful. By departing from the maxims observed ii% 
all former wars, we shall rival our savage foe in cruelty, witU« 
out his apology to plead in its extenuation. 

I admit the power of a military commander to put his pri- 
soners to death, but I deny his right," 

Thus have I, by a few extracts from Mr. Mercer's own 
speech, given a view of it, and of himself, vvliich «ill enable the 
reader to form a good estimate of the whole. He begins bv the 
acknowledging of grateful feelings, of personal friendship for 
the friend of his youth, his father's friend, the friend of iiis 
family and name He admits the validity of tlie lawof nations| 
but in regard to the Indians and their associates, he denies their 
force. He admits the right of retaliation, but denies the exer- 
cise of that rigf»t against Indians and their associates And he 
then stood before the representatives of the nation, pleading a 
parricidal cause, with the tongue of ingratitude, the benefits («f 
learning, and the voice of harmony, to induce them to cenj 
sure or punish those men, of whom he spoke so well, and to 
whom he acknowledged so much, because the laws of nations 
and the right of retaliation had been exercised upon four per- 
sons, who were the incendiaries and ringleaders of thousands of 
externjinating and ruthless savages, runaways and outlaws, in 
"whose possession were found 350 newly taken scalps from the 
grandsire to the most feeble infant. He plead his principles, he 
plead for justice, even as the celebrated Shvlnck did : he r - 
quired justice though it sho lid consign to death and disgrac , 
one of the greatest and best of men. 

Upon another occasion, in regard to Mr. Clay's speech, t 
lias been shewn that the great Washington caused the law <£ 
retaliation to be severely enforced upon the Six jyations of I » 
dians; and General Wayne, when pressed by surprize and dat - 
ger, had caused prisoners who had been taken in the course of 
war, to be instantly massacred. In these casps, there was i o 
discrimination; but in the case of Geneial Jackson, he selected 
no more than four victims, two Indians and two white men, and 
all four guilty of numerous crimes of the greatest atrocity. 
They were punished with death ; and for this act of obedience 
to the government, of justice to them and of policy to his cout;« 
try, all former and present services were overleaped, and a 
national disgrace was sought for, by inflicting either censure or 
punishment upon him, and to implicate the President for having 
j failed to do what they were endeavouring to effect. 

Those citizetis of the United States who have felt the dire 
effects of Indian warfare, those beloved Indians, whose caus* , 
and whose barbarities have beeii so zealously espoused by M o 
Cobb, Mr. Clay and Mr. Mercer, can tell, how well these a - 
wcates have supported their cause, against the examples of 

F 



f 48 J 

Waslihi^ton and Wayne, against the right of self pivscrvatit^t 
ami rotiUiation. Th'^v \viil also prove by their votes shortly to 
Ije j^iven, wiiethcr Genera! Jackson has forfoitrd (heir .m'atitiul© 
lor'his servir.s. hrrausf^ he has piompti;. , ami wiih justice, in- 
flutr<l punishiuentou th/ir enemies, bloojl- stained Lidians and 
their assoriah s acropling to their deserts. 

L'puii the fullesT suul most < andid examination of all that has 
lieen, or can be allel.^ed a,e;ainst Ucnoral Jackson, by th )S0 ful- 
ijiinatiiiijaccosers, it cloaily -.(ppears th^t he has hot otherwise 
»)ftVnutd, than hycausina; the sentence of dcatli, established by 
testimony, taken belore a ronjpctent tribunal, to be enforced 
?\gaii'St Aibathnot and Ambrister, whose offences and nuirdera 
iiad been without njimbcr or provocation, whose characters had 
l)cen most ferocious, without pity or remorse; and whose out- 
raji;c'U!'^ enormities had spread a. gloom and a pervading terror 
over the surroundii>f5 regions. 

" Such were the oGences with w hich the hero of Orleans, the 
brave, the patriotic, illustrious Jackson, directly associated witl^ 
Your benevolent and well tried servant. Col. Monroe, was ac- 
cused, for which Mr. Cobb of Georgia, Mr. Clay of Kentucky, 
and C. F. Mercer of Virginia, have sought to establish, for the 
benefit of their clients, an interpolation upon the law of nations, 
upon the rights of retaliation, and self-preservation ; and to ef- 
fect that most audacious and dangercus rule, they have found 
it necessary for their success, to ajraign, ti-y, condemn and put 
ilown, twoofthe greatest and best men of this or of any other 

^ge or country. 

Tcople of the United States, or such of you as may read these 
pages, you are required to remember, that they have been writ- 
ten with a sj>irit of candor and regard to usefulness, which de- 
fies contradiction. May you he excited with a like spirit, and 
lor the same purpose also, bid defiance to calumny and persecu- 
tion. 

Before I proceed further, I w ill bring again before the reader^ 
Mr. .Wercei'sown words, at the beginning of his speech. 

♦'Having, befoie t!je report of the select committee was re- 
ceived, denied the autliority of Congress to punish a military 
officer, (meaning Gen. Jackson) I rejoice that a course has been 
adopted, wbich, whilst it falls strictly within the province of " 
this house, is calculoted to heal the -ivonnds injlided on the con- 
stituiion, and to vindicate tlu unsullied character of the nation,'* 
Here Mr. Mercer not only anticipates guilt, but rejoices that 
punishment may be inflicted. Happy, happy man! ! How for- 
tunate, thnt tiie peopie should have in tlseir service, all combin- 
pd in one person, Ari,s(ides, Solon, Lycutgus, Cato, Alfred an«j[ j 
even our own Wiishington, Henry, reudlcton, Wythe, &9 
Hap[;y, thrice happy Mr. Mercer 1 1 



I 4S ] 

Hearken all yoti people, behold your political saviour; listed 
to the glail tidings and voluntary acknowledgements of an un- 
grateful protegee, not only expressing, but manifesting joy, 
that he had been liberated from much solicitude, in the fear 
that he could rrot become a sacrificer of the saviour of his coun- 
try ; of his benefactor, of his father's friend, the friend of his 
youth, tht, friend of mankind ! ! ! Whence prithee, this pleasing 
irradiating hope, tiiis fond desire to immolate such men ; and 
for one of whom he acknowledged so many disinterested obliga*- 
tions. It was a vain-glorious delusion, which excited this pre- 
tender for Roman and Spartan Virtue, to emulate those records 
which have admonished bucceeding ages of the immolation of 
sons, daughters, parents and friends. It must have been, for 
such distfiit and evanescent hope, unchecked by an ordinary 
intellect, which infatuated and led astray a mintl, whose medi- 
ocrity aspired to deification. Happy, thrice happy Mr. 
Mercer! much envied man!! He had, after much toil and 
many sleepless nights, with all the solicitude of hope and fear,— 
yes, he had become satisHed, that there was a rjuibble of words, 
a subtle sophistication, by wliich all the itn[)ulse.s of his honour^ 
of his justice and of his gratitude might ei-nble him to become a 
parricide J the Aictims were then, as he hoped, ensnared, and 
the discovery of this /io;us^ secret would give renown and im- 
mortality to the destroyer of one ot the greatest m*Mi, who evrr 
lived, and gave lustre to the historic pai;e; and also with him, 
Ms friend, his benefactor and his father's friend. 

But alas for poor Mr. Mercei'! bis gianu plan of immor- 
ialify, and of the apotheosis tennittated iu aboition : the genius 
of America, of liberty, of honour, trutli and justice, appeared as 
so many Daniels against him. He was wi-igl^ed and was found 
•wanting. His high hopes vani'^hed; and he has since paid his 
obeisance to the man of the people, the sun ofgl'>ry, and pre* 
destined immortality. It was Jackson, whose destruction he 
sought — It is tlie same Jackson to whom he has lately paid his 
willing devotion. 

Whilst my mintl has been devnted to such contemplations', 
two events, as they have a connexion vvitii the parlirs. whose 
conduct has been investigated, have hapjiened at Washington. 

. I he first relates to Mr. Mercer, which will be presently 

noticed. 

I'here has been lately presented to General Jackson, some 
taluable relicts of tie inimortJil W ashington, by his representa- 
tives; among which there were a pair ol pistols. These pistols 
had been the companions of his glory, during the revolutionary 
war, which gave liberty to his country. Mr. Mercer became 
the willing instrument of the donation; it was made in such a 
manner, that his name is coupled with the transaction, aud biig 
been published throughout Uie United States, 



I 46 1 

as the beacon of Indian war, and crowned with the scalp of aii 
American citizen." 

Page 170. — "But, sir, there is still another and a diflferent 
aspect, in \\l)i(h the orders of General Jackson ought to bo 
viewed. He was not onij', by lliose orders charged with the 
the inanageme))t ofthe war, and vested with thepower necessary 
to give it etrcct ; but, sir. it will be found on reference to the 
doruments, that he was also commissioned to inflict speedy and 
merited chastisement on the deluded Seuiinoles. In the order 
from the ^yar Department of tlie 16th of January, 1818, he wa3 
told, 'the honour of the United States requires, that the war 
^vith the Semijiolcs should be teiminated speedily, and witji ex- 
enaplary punislnnent tur hostilities so unprovoked.' In a letter 
from the War Department, February , 1818, he is told, Hke 
cnvfidcncc reposed in your skill aval promptitude, assures ns that 
peace will he restored on suck conditions a-s will make it honoura' 
ble and perr,iavcnt.** 

Page 172. — ''Sir, said Mr. Talmage, General Jarkson re- 
ceived hisoi'dris refjuirit'g liim intake conHiiand, at iSashxille, 
on the li'th ofJanuai-y, 1818. J bis great military raptain com- 
nenred i is operations; and such, said Mr. 1'. has been the ra- 
pidity of his measures, and the velocity of his movements, that 
the tongue of the nanator can scarcely keej) pace with his 
jnarch. He immediately announred aj) appsal to the patriotism 
of the Tennessee vohirsteers, to accompany him in his expedi- 
tion; and he made a requisition for a <ieta(hment of Georgia 
militia. The first came foith at his call, and t')e secoiul were, 
jn process of time, detached a)id prepared ti) join. This force, 
united with his regular troops and some friendly Indians, were 
co))centrated at Foit Scott. >> ilhout the mrahs ov the possi- 
bility of transpoi-tation. Gen. Jackson, on tlie 28th of March, 
and with otily eight days provision, ha\ing bravely deteriijined 
*tO subsist on the enemy,' took up the line of march from Fort 
Scott. He entejcd the unexplored wilderness; he crossed the 
Florida line ; he sought aju! lo\;nd the Indian enemy in their 
fastnesses ; he vanqnished them, and destroyed their towns. 
In Ins pursuit of the embodied fugitives, he lound St. Marks 
"was the source of their sujqdies, and tJiat its |)0.ssession Mas 
thi-eatencd by his enemy. He occupied that place, and from 
thence directed his march to Fensacola, from v, hence he drove 
out the Indians who had tied tl;ere for shelter, and for new sup- 
plies. He also occupied that place with the fortress of Bai-an- 
cas ; and (;n the 29th of 'ay termi)iaied a war, which had for 
more thaji eighteen months ra\ aged your frontier, and was fast 
spre-Ading ti> other Indian trilics. Sir, said Mr. T. it is the in- 
cidents of this campaign, so rajdd in its progress, so bi'illiantin 
its execution; and; iu his cpinioii, so replete m ith important and 



I 47 3 

foetieficial results, that gives rise to the present discflssion. Xa 
Jts progress, a neutral territory has been entered j the posts of 
St. Marivs and Pensarola havt been taken ; two Indian cliiefs 
and two Britisli su'ijecl.«, Arbutlmot and Anibrister, l»avp been 
executed: and 1 rejoice at tluse t vents. J liouuur, rather than 
blame the General, wiio had the firmtiess to determine and giv& 
effect to such measures. ]n avowinp; this opinion, said he, I 
am confident I do but speak the opinicm ol" this nation " 

Page 173. — "But, sir, these two iiulian chielii were taken on 
shore and executed. The honourable Speaker, (Mr. Clay,) 
tells us, that it fills him with the deepest regret. I, too, said 
Mr. T. am not without regret ; but, sir, my regret is at the 
causes wliich rendered their execution necessary and proper, and 
not tha. General Jacks. m had lirmness to perform his duty, and 
make an example usetul to u^ and salutary to the Indian nation. 
Sir, in the peis.,n and character of tiomatl.lemicco was found 
the Ijioian r-hief, who presided at tiie inhuman murder of Lieut. 
iScott and his party. A deed more brutal and savage cannot be 
foujid i»i tiie Hiiiials of Indian vvarlaie. Sii*, he was not execu- 
ted as an enemy only, but as a ha^e murderer marked with 
every cruelty and stained with the blood of your countrymen. 

«'Hillis Ilajo. the other chief, was also hung. The honoura- 
ble Speaker, (Mr. Clay.) said he regarded the occinrence with 
grief; and with great indignation he exclaimed, 'Hdttg an In- 
iliani IJung an Indian ." Jlaug an Indian? No, sir, (said Mr. 
T.) Geneial Jackson did not hang an Indian. Higher desti- 
nies awaited the chief. He had ceasjd to be an Indian : he had 
recently been hoiv.e to old Kngiand; he iiad approached *the 
throne of his Ro} al Bighness ;' and while there, was commis- 
sioned Brigadier General. Yes, sir, he was a British Brigadier 
General: he wore a redcoat; and by way of special favour 
and pre-eminence over all others of the same rank, he was fur- 
nished with fAree epanleites. Therefore, Genera! J ickson did 
not hang an Indian. He h.ing a Biitish Hrigadier General. 
i honour him for it, said JMr. Talmage; and who is offended? 
It was in the territory of Sp in ; but as she was a neutral pow- 
er, she has no cause for complaint. And, does tngiaud com- 
plain? Disgrace upon her if she does not. She is bound by 
every tie of honour to come forward and own her favourite gene- 
ral Hillis Hajo. I hope she will, said Mr. T.—And w be never 
England does complain, if my voice can contjoul. her complaint 
shall be handed over for adjustment, to our naval heroes: those 
gallant sons, who have borne your cannon upon the deep ; who 
bave btid their steady march upon the Mnountain v\ave,' and 
triutnphantly displayed to an admiring world the bi.nneis of 
your country. They would gladly adjust the account. 
' ««in the progress of this debate, some of the public services 



r 48 1 

I" 

«f General JarUsnn Tiavc been recounted. I am no eulogist — I 
}iavc neither the will nor the power to recount the exploits of 
tlie n^an on whose ronducl ;^ou are to pronounce. Small must 
be that man's pretensions to iinmoi-falily in fame — meagre must 
l)c that man's glories, whose friends in debate, can enumerate 
liis acts, and detail the account of his services. The puUlic ser- 
vices of Gen. Jackson arc reduced to no ledgered account: they 
are not of this class — they are of an or<iei^ which break upojj 
the imraagination, and dazzle by their brightness. Si*", the 
congregattd world have compared thost^ aciiievnicnts, which 
form the fund of their national gK)ries, among those of modsrii 
days, by universal consent, the names oi' Jgmcourt And Foicilcrs 
stand pre-eminent in brightness. But it is the fortune of our 
day! nay, it is tlie fortune of our country, to behold those 
bright nuuies, serve ar^ the back grouud, upon which are embla- 
zoned the yet more brilliant names of Orleans and ot Jackson^ 

'"Sir, you may pass the proposed resolution. With the pes«. 
tiferous bieath o\' censure, you may wiiher the laurels which his 
nation has entwined about his brows. In ihe language of the 
gentleman from Georgia, (I>lr. Cobb) 'you may even bring that 
brow itself to the vile dust from whence it sprung ;' but yet my 
heart is cheeied with the confiding hope, that history, injus- 
tice to his valor, his fidelity, and his public services, v/iil re- 
cord in her brightest page, the name oi Jackson ; while the tears 
of a grateful country will moisten those laurels which were eu-^^ 
twined around his brow, and jcanimatethem to bloom an ever- 
green upon his grave." 

1 fain would have mf^de more cojjious extracts from the 
speech of Col. Talnr-ige, and to have identified myself with it. 
The whole and every part of it, to be memorised and often re- 
peated, can produce no other excitements in my bosom, than 
those of the most profound respect for the orator and the cause 
— nor am 1 disposed to make tlie smallest abatement or diminu- 
tion of legard fur the speeches of the other patriotic vindica- 
tors of General Jackson. (Perhaps upon a future occasion^ 
that t|>cech may be further noticed.) 

rUlLOJACKSON, 



(Q* Being desirous to suhmi the foregoing investigation to 
Congress before its adjonrnmevt, this imperfect publiccition has 
been iransinitted. U luit more has beeii prepared for the vindicc*- 
tion of Gen. Jackson, npon other subjects as well as this, will be 
published and transuiiltcd so soon us the printing can be compk- 
ejd. 

TmLOJACKSQJS% 



31^77-5 



